(© Mariana Cook 2003) 

Prof. dr. Willem Johan Kolff
(1911 - 2009) 

Welcome to the Willem Kolff Foundation. The WKF was erected in 2003, to celebrate and commemmorate the life and legacy of the father of artificial organs, the Dutch-born American prof.dr. Willem Johan 'Pim' Kolff (1911- 2009). The WKF is based in Kampen, The Netherlands, where Kolff invented the artificial kidney during the Second World War in the City Hospital. After closing the hospital in 1994, the building was empty for 10 years and almost torn down. In 2005 it was succesfully restored and was reopened as a nursing home. The former room of Kolff is now a small museum about Kolff, invention of the artificial kidney and artificial organs as a global industry.

Dr Kolff died on february 11, 2009, aged almost 98. Executing his personal will, his ashes were brought to The Netherlands and were buried in garden of the former City Hospital garden in Kampen, where his impressive career in medical invention took of during the 1940's.

The Willem Kolff Foundation wants to keep the innovative spirit of Kolff alive for the future of medicine. His unique approach towards medical invention is worth it. On this website the WKF informs you about its' activities and developments in the field.


'The main aim of my endeavours has always been to restore people to an enjoyable existence. If it's not enjoyable, it should not be done.'
- W.J Kolff, 2003 -