Professor Dr. Olle ten Cate

MD, PhD

Dr. ten Cate is a world-renowned expert in the realm of medical education, particularly noted for his transformative work on Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

With a background of undergraduate medical training and a PhD in social sciences, Dr. ten Cate has four decades of experience with curriculum innovation, educational research, and faculty development in the health professions, locally, nationally, and internationally. He was the founding director of the Center for Research and Development of Education at UMC Utrecht (2005-2017), served as the president of the Netherlands Association for Medical Education (2006-2012), and has published (500+) and presented (500+) widely about advances in health professions education. He has successfully mentored 25 doctoral students for a PhD in health professions education. He has received several national and international honors and awards, including the J.P. Hubbard award of the National Board of Medical Examiners, the Ian R. Hart award for innovation in medical education, the NVMO Han Moll medal, a Dutch Royal Distinction for contributions to medical education, and UMC Utrecht’s Harmen Tiddens Medal.

Dr. ten Cate is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association and teaches in the FAIMER course for competency-based education.

One of his interests is competency-based education in the health professions, specifically in the application of entrustable professional activities and entrustment decision-making, to improve education to serve the quality and safety of health care practice.