Former Belgian Minister Catherine Fonck Returns to Medicine, Cites Need for “Meaning”
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A seasoned politician and former minister is embarking on a significant career shift, returning to her roots in medicine. Catherine Fonck, who served as a federal deputy and held ministerial positions in Belgium, has officially joined the nephrology and dialysis service at a large hospital in Charleroi after a year of intensive retraining.
A graduate of the Catholic University of Louvain in 1993, Fonck initially practiced as a nephrologist at the Saint-Luc university clinics in Brussels and later at the Sainte-Élisabeth clinic in Namur before entering the political arena. Her decision to leave politics, announced in July 2023, stemmed from a desire for renewal within the political class and a personal need to find deeper purpose in her work.
From Parliament to Patient Care
Fonck’s political career began in 2003 when she was elected as a federal deputy representing the CDH party. She subsequently served as Minister of Children, Health and Youth Aid to the French Community between 2004 and 2009, and briefly as Secretary of State for Energy in 2014. More recently, she held positions as group chef of commitments to the House and as a municipal councilor in Frameries.
However, despite her decades in public service, Fonck consistently expressed a strong connection to the medical profession. This enduring passion led her to pursue further training at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Strasbourg, preparing her for a return to clinical practice. “This conversion…marks a return to sources for that which, after two decades of political life, had often recalled its attachment to the medical world and to the relationship with the patient,” a source close to Fonck explained.
A Symbolic Return Amidst Labor Disputes
The transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Reports indicate Fonck was recently blocked by striking workers while attempting to access the hospital for dialysis treatments, an incident described as “unheard of!” by observers. This event underscores the current climate of labor unrest and the potential for disruption even within essential healthcare services.
Prioritizing Renewal and Purpose
Fonck’s departure from politics reflects a growing sentiment regarding the need for political renewal. She articulated a belief in limiting the number of mandates held by individuals and fostering a new generation of leaders. “If I stop, it is first because I believe in the importance of limiting the number of mandates. I believe in the need for the renewal of the political class,” she stated.
Ultimately, Fonck’s decision to return to nephrology and dialysis represents a deliberate choice to prioritize personal fulfillment and direct patient care. Her commitment to the Charleroi hospital signals a renewed focus on the tangible impact of medical practice, a path she clearly felt compelled to revisit after years dedicated to public service.
