When a lung condition affects your ability to breathe and function normally, know that you can turn to Curaçao Medical Center ‘s Pulmonology Department for expert diagnosis, treatment, education and rehabilitative services.
We have a team of pulmonary specialists—physicians with advanced knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases—along with respiratory therapists, nurses and others with expertise in lung care who are here to help you.
We also work closely with EMC Rotterdam for complex pulmonary hypertension patients. Tailored care is provided on a case-by- case basis and in occasional cases a transfer to Rotterdam is suggested.
Treatments & Conditions
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Environmental or occupational lung diseases such as asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Lung infections
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough
Pulmonology Programs & Services
- Diagnostic:
- Pulmonary function testing
- Asthma challenge testing
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Bronchoscopy
- Treatment:
- Mobilization and pulmonary rehabilitation to increase breathing capacity Pulmonary hygiene and suctioning
- Nutrition/dietary counseling
- Medication
- Thoracic Surgery
Specialists Pulmonolgy
Paulus van den - Pulmonologist
Dr. Paulus van den Berg studied medicine in Rotterdam, then worked as an AGNIO at the Elisabeth hospital in Tilburg, where he chose pulmonology. After this he did the internal preparatory training at the Maria hospital in Tilburg and completed my pulmonology specialization in 1992 at the Erasmus Medical center in Rotterdam.
After this he worked for 16 years at the Merwede hospital (later Albert Schweitzer) in Dordrecht and then almost 10 years at the Maasstad hospital in Rotterdam-south.
His areas of focus are oncology and surgery. At the Albert Schweitzer he made a case for obtaining the PET scan and radiotherapy started immunotherapy for lung cancer in Maasstad. He mainly participated in oncological trials and became proficient at an early stage in endo-ultrasound examinations such as EUS and EBUS. He also performed thoracoscopies in addition to the standard procedures of a pulmonologist.
In Curaçao Dr. van den Berg focuses on pulmonary oncology; diagnostics, treatment and guidance. EUS and EBUS have been introduced and with the ambition to provide cross-border pulmonological care. On a personal level Dr. van den Berg has 3 beautiful children who are now adults and lives with his partner and their 3 dogs on dushi Korsou. Dr. van den Berg feels privileged and happy to live and work here.
Tamara Blonk - Pulmonologist
During her specialization in Pulmonology Dr. Blonk did an internship at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, on the subject of non-CF bronchiectasis and recurrent infections.
Dr. Blonk’s has expertise in pulmonary infectious diseases such as Tubeculose, bronchiectasis, and sleep apnea syndrome / OSAS. She has Worked in several hospitals in the Netherlands, including the Jeroen Bosch Hospital (den Bosch), Amstelland hospital (Amstelveen) and at North-West Hospital Group (Alkmaar / den Helder).
In 2018, together with her husband, son and cat, Dr. Blonk decided to go back to her grandfather’s roots on Curaçao to learn more about the culture and to be closer to her family. Her additional responsibilities at CMC include Tuberculosis (TB) treatment coordinator in collaboration with GGD to help prevent infections.
Dr. Blonk finds it important to provide the best possible quality of care to the people of Curacao. To do this she organizes and teaches in nursing continued education and works closely with academic hospitals in the Netherlands and regularly attends refresher courses to keep abreast of new developments. Dr. Blonk’s goal is to continue informing and brining awareness to patients on the different syndromes and treatments.
Tiel Groenestege - Pulmonologist
Tiel Groenestege is a pulmonologist trained in the full range of the profession, focusing on diagnosis and treatment of severe asthma and COPD. In addition, has an interest in health literacy with attention on access to care for every patient.