February 8, 2023
Simonetta Balbi has been elected as the new president of the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe (BSFE), effective January 2023, following her service as a founding board member for the past five years. As Director of Corporate Communications, EMEA, Boston Scientific, Simonetta has had a long-standing commitment to the company’s position in the community. This, coupled with her passion for philanthropy, has inspired her to take on the stewardship for the Foundation.
“I am honoured and thrilled by this new challenge, helping BSFE to continue to grow and bring our caring values into reality.” said Simonetta. “BSFE supports transformational projects with patients in mind, and I am committed to support initiatives in the non-profit world that can have a real impact on people’s lives.”
Sandrine Bazile continues as member of the Board
Simonetta succeeds Sandrine Bazile, vice president medical education, market access and medical affairs EMEA at Boston Scientific. Under her five-year tenure, BSFE has funded 16 digital health initiatives from non-profits across Europe, including the multi-award-winning 5/5 campaign of the Francine Leca Foundation, which has succeeded in training over 500 doctors in cardiovascular diagnostics, and more recently the international Dystonia Physio Exercise hub, bringing much-needed individualised support to people living with cervical dystonia. Sandrine Bazile will continue to serve on the BSFE board.
“The Foundation has been my passion project since its inception and we have come a long way since the seed of an idea back in 2018 to facilitate a different way for the company to contribute to patient care,” commented Sandrine. “It is gratifying to see the variety and reach of our projects using digital solutions, a focus that was particularly important during the pandemic to help people to connect to care. I am privileged to have had this opportunity and excited to see what we achieve next.”
Changes in the Board are a matter of course and in 2022 other new members were welcomed: Jan Szemjonneck, director, senior legal and compliance counsel EMEA, at Boston Scientific, and Orso Chetochine, director at Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque.
About the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe
The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe (BSFE) is a non-profit organisation that supports well-being through digital solutions. Addressing issues of public interest, the Foundation funds initiatives from European non-profit organisations that help prevent or manage diseases. Established in 2018, BSFE is headquartered in France and funded solely by Boston Scientific. For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.eu/foundation or facebook.