Marianne Schippers works at one of the Maxima Medical Center (MC) locations. She is a nurse practitioner there and enjoys talking about her work at Maxima MC.

Marianne is a very busy nurse practitioner. We at LEEFH were therefore delighted that she agreed to speak with us for an interview. Marianne doesn’t work alone, but as part of a team of specialists. Since Marianne Schippers serves as a liaison for LEEFH, she consults frequently with the LEEFH Foundation.

Marianne explains: “When I see a new patient with sky-high cholesterol, it does raise some red flags for me. But we’re not sure if that patient actually has FH. We’ll investigate that thoroughly first.”

Still FH

If a patient is diagnosed with FH, it’s not uncommon for them to be alarmed and reluctant to start medication right away. She guides them through that process with great care. “Of course, it’s good that people don’t want to reach for pills right away and want to focus on their lifestyle. If you have FH, a healthy lifestyle is very helpful, but unfortunately, it’s often not enough to keep cholesterol levels in check.”

“If you have FH, a healthy lifestyle is very helpful, but it’s often not enough to keep your cholesterol levels in check.”

Young adults

Marianne also works with young adults. “They, in particular, have to get used to the treatment. When you’re between 18 and 20, you have other things on your mind. You live in the here and now and don’t yet think about the potential long-term consequences. With the “hectic” lifestyle of the average young adult, it’s hard to take medication consistently. It’s a challenge to get them motivated and keep them on track in a healthy way. Sometimes patients don’t get enough information from home, and honestly, a Kapsalon is really tasty after a night out.” “I understand that,” says Marianne Schippers. “We’re really doing our best to keep this group engaged.”