Making Dutch Healthcare Feel Like Home for Expat Families

Why Cornerstone Health Exists

Cornerstone Health was born from a simple truth: navigating healthcare in a foreign country shouldn't leave you feeling lost and uncertain. We serve as the bridge between your healthcare expectations and the Dutch healthcare reality, transforming confusion into confidence.

As expats ourselves, we understand the unique challenges you face when managing your health in the Netherlands. From understanding how to communicate your health concerns effectively to navigating complex medical interactions, our mission is to make the unfamiliar feel familiar, giving you peace of mind in your new home.

Our Core Values

Trusted Guidance

We make the unfamiliar feel familiar by being the reliable healthcare partner who transforms your uncertainty into clear, confident decisions.

Cultural Understanding

Having lived the expat experience ourselves, we bridge the gap between your healthcare expectations and Dutch reality with genuine empathy and cultural insight.

Family-Centered Care

We understand that healthcare decisions affect those you care about, so we provide comprehensive support that gives everyone peace of mind and alleviates the worries of living in a new land.

Preventive Care Leadership

Rather than waiting for problems to arise, we help you stay ahead of health concerns through proactive planning and informed decision-making.

Continuous Support

We're your ongoing healthcare partner, not just a one-time consultation—building lasting relationships that grow with your needs and provide support when you need it most.

Why Choose Cornerstone Health ?

We understand that placing your family's healthcare in someone else's hands requires tremendous trust. Here's what makes Cornerstone Health different:

Clinical Insight Advantage

Unlike basic navigation services, you receive expert guidance built from more than a decade of clinical experience and a deeper understanding of how healthcare systems work.

Cultural Healthcare Bridge

We translate expectations by helping you understand not just what to do or how to convey your message, but why the Dutch system works the way it does.

Personalized Navigation

Every expat's situation is unique. We provide tailored guidance that fits your specific needs, family situation, and healthcare goals.

Preventive Care Focus

Rather than simply reacting to problems, we help you develop proactive strategies that prevent issues and optimize your wellbeing.

Continuous Partnership

Healthcare navigation isn't a one-time event. We're here for ongoing support as your needs evolve and your understanding of the system grows.

Meet RJ Pesigan - Your Healthcare Guide

From Expat to Expert: Understanding Your Journey

“As a US-trained physician who made the Netherlands home, I understand firsthand the challenges of navigating a foreign healthcare system. The confusion, the cultural differences, the uncertainty about getting proper care for yourself and your family—I've been there. That's why I founded Cornerstone Health: to be the bridge I wish I'd had when I first arrived.

“My journey as an expat in the Netherlands taught me valuable lessons that technical training alone couldn't provide. I’ve successfully navigated my own family's transition to Dutch healthcare, overcome cultural barriers and nuances in medical settings, built relationships with local healthcare professionals, and developed systems for efficient healthcare access and communication. This combination of professional expertise and personal experience allows me to provide guidance that's both medically informed and practically relevant to your life as an expat.”

Personal Stories

  • Sophia is a 20-year-old university student from the U.S., relocated to Amsterdam for her studies.

    This is her first time living abroad, and balancing a life in a new country with a busy student schedule is already taking up a lot of time.

    One afternoon, Sophia begins to experience severe stomach pain. She tries to figure out her next steps but:

    🔴 She can’t reach her GP for advice because it’s after 12pm.

    🔴 The on-call GP service tells her to watch and wait for the symptoms to change.

    🔴 She is confused by conflicting online advice, making her more anxious.

  • We help her by going through her symptoms with her, determining if she needs urgent care, other potential causes, and what to watch out for.

    Sophia learns how to document and explain her symptoms effectively so that she can tell the on-call GP if she believes she needs to be seen.

    Sophia feels supported by an expert, and that she does not have to go through this painful episode by herself.

  • Daniel is a 45-year-old IT consultant from South Africa, living in the Netherlands for six years.

    He is currently managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol with 2 medications, but wants to be more proactive and holistic about his health.

    He wants to know if the alternative options he’s read about are safe and supported by science, and how he can incorporate them into his daily life without feeling overwhelmed.

  • We help Daniel develop a proactive wellness plan—covering stress reduction, nutrition, and lifestyle changes—to complement his medical treatment.

    He also learns which activities he can participate in safely, and is put in touch with other experts who are able to work on his fitness and lon-term health.

    Daniel also learns how to structure his GP visits, ensuring he can ask the right questions and clearly communicate his concerns.

  • Maria and Luis are a Spanish couple who recently moved to Eindhoven with their 8-year-old daughter for Luis’ new job at a tech company.

    One afternoon, their daughter comes home from school with a high fever, cough, and a sore throat.

    Luis is currently abroad on a work trip, so Maria tries to figure out her next steps on her own but:

    🔴 She can’t reach the GP for advice because it’s after 12pm.

    🔴 The on-call GP service tells her to watch and wait, but her daughter is very uncomfortable so she is unsure what to do

  • We help by paying Maria a visit and going through her daughter’s symptoms with her, determining if she needs urgent care, other potential causes, and what to watch out for.

    Maria learns what symptoms she needs to tell the on-call GP if she believes her daughter needs to be seen.

    Maria feels less stressed because she is not alone, and is supported by an expert.

    Maria also learns what remedies she can give her daughter to help her feel more comfortable.

Ready To Transform Your Healthcare Experience?

You don't have to navigate the Dutch healthcare system alone. Let us be your trusted ally for confident healthcare communication and support.

Disclaimer:

*Cornerstone Health provides healthcare guidance, advice and advocacy services. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescriptions, or clinical treatment. Always consult with your huisarts if you require a diagnosis, medication, treatment for your medical concerns.*