Dr Maaike Kusters PhD, MD
Overview
When families receive a diagnosis of a rare immunodeficiency condition, they face enormous challenges that extend far beyond medical complexity. Dr Maaike Kusters specialises in caring for children with the most challenging inborn errors of immunity, conditions that require intensive treatments (bone marrow transplantation, thymus transplantation, gene therapy) and place significant pressure on family life whilst families hope for curative outcomes that restore quality of life.
Her clinical expertise focuses on rare conditions where treatment options may exist in only a handful of centres worldwide, meaning families often travel great distances seeking specialized care. Through her role as Honorary Associate Professor at UCL Institute of Child Health, she contributes to pioneering research that develops new treatments, often representing first-in-world therapeutic approaches for conditions that historically had limited options.
As Treasurer of the European Society for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Dr Kusters maintains connections with the global network of specialists working on these rare conditions, ensuring that families benefit from the latest discoveries and collaborative expertise being developed internationally. Her Innovation Officer role at DRIVE involves exploring how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence might enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment approaches, representing ongoing work to improve outcomes for children with complex immunological conditions.
Dr Kusters' approach recognises that families dealing with rare immunodeficiencies need physicians who combine deep clinical understanding with active commitment to advancing the field, working to expand possibilities for children's futures through both excellent current care and dedication to developing better treatments.
International families particularly value Dr Kusters' kind and human approach and her comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced during extended stays in London, often lasting months whilst children receive complex diagnostic evaluations or intensive treatments. Her collaborative approach with leading specialists across multiple disciplines ensures that families benefit from coordinated care that addresses all aspects of their child's complex medical needs to provide the best care available.
Credentials
Inborn Errors of Immunity
Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment of primary immunodeficiencies, utilising both traditional clinical assessment and innovative diagnostic approaches to identify even the most complex presentations. She has a specific interest in immune dysregulation, Griscelli Type 2 syndrome, and syndromic immunodeficiencies.
Syndromic Immunodeficiency
Leadership of GOSH's specialised clinic for children with genetic syndromes affecting immune function, including Kabuki Syndrome, Down syndrome, VICI syndrome, Wiedemann Steiner Syndrome, and numerous other conditions requiring individualised assessment and treatment approaches.
Advanced Treatment Coordination
Collaborative involvement in GOSH's comprehensive treatment programmes, including thymus transplantation (with clinical lead Dr Austen Worth and research lead Dr Alexandra Kreins) and gene therapy programmes (with Prof. Dr Claire Booth), and ensuring seamless care coordination across multiple specialties, including close collaboration with the bone marrow transplantation team.
Healthcare Innovation and AI Integration
Strategic development and implementation of artificial intelligence tools and data-driven innovations in her work at DRIVE Innovation Unit, designed to enhance patient care, improve clinical workflows, and support healthcare system improvements across NHS, international, and immunology-specific contexts.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Development of ambient voice technology and AI applications that enhance diagnostic accuracy whilst reducing administrative burden, enabling healthcare providers to focus more attention on direct patient care.
Data-Driven Healthcare Innovation
Implementation of systems that identify patterns in clinical presentations and treatment responses, contributing to improved patient safety, diagnostic accuracy and treatment optimisation for children with inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
International Healthcare Systems Integration
Adaptation of innovative healthcare solutions to function effectively across different international healthcare frameworks, ensuring that technological advances benefit diverse patient populations worldwide.
Healthcare Workflow Optimisation
Creation of systems that simultaneously improve patient outcomes, reduce administrative burden, and optimize resource utilization, supporting healthcare sustainability whilst maintaining care quality.
Training:
- Medical Doctor Degree, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Paediatrics, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
- PhD Doctor of Philosophy – Adaptive immune system in Down Syndrome, Leiden University, the Netherlands
Memberships:
- ESID, FRCPCH, UKPIN, BPAIIG
- Executive leadership role at European Society for Primary Immunodeficiencies (ESID) as Treasurer, contributing to strategic direction of European immunodeficiency care and research
Refer your child to Dr Maaike Kusters PhD, MD
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