Advisory Board on Socio-Medical Affairs

The Advisory Board is tasked with analysing medical questions related to the health insurance system.

It is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Social Insurance Institution for a period of three years. Current term of the Advisory Board: 1 March 2025 – 29 February 2028

Chair
Janne Leinonen, Chief Medical Director, Kela (neurology)

Deputy Chair and Member
Marjo Parkkila-Harju, Medical Director, Kela (general practice)

Secretary and Member
Johanna Kilpijoki, Senior Medical Advisor, Kela (general practice)

Members

• Eva Helaskoski, Chief Physician, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (occupational healthcare)
• Margareeta Häkkinen, Chief Physician, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (healthcare)
• Erika Jääskeläinen, Professor, University of Oulu, Faculty of Medicine (psychiatry)           
• Satu Lahti, Professor, University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Dentistry (community dentistry, healthcare)
• Eija Lönnroos, Professor, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine (geriatrics)
• Jukka Mattila, Director, Finnish Medical Association (general practice)
• Mika Mäkelä, Professor, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki (pediatrics, allergology)
• Anna-Kaisa Parkkila, Chief Assessment Physician, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County and FinCCHTA (neurology)
• Markku Sumanen, Professor, University of Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (general practice)
• Kirsti Tolonen, Head of Unit, National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (geriatriacs)
• Henna Virtomaa, Executive Director, Finnish Dental Association (dentistry)
• Juho Wedenoja, Senior Medical Officer in Charge of Development, Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea (healthcare, ophthalmology)
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Experts

• Hanna-Mari Jauhonen, General Secretary, Palko (ophthalmology)
• Helena Kastarinen, Medical Director, Kela (internal medicine, nephrology)                         
• Katariina Klintrup, Senior Medical Advisor, Kela (oncology)
• Riitta Luoto, Medical Director, Kela Research (healthcare, occupational healthcare)        
• Reima Palonen, Director, Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board / Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (reimbursements for outpatient medicines)
• Maija Pihlajamäki, Senior Medical Advisor, Kela (neurology)
• Anne Rönneberg, Coordinator, Kela (implementation of drug reimbursement system)
• Jarmo Salo, Head of Department, Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District (pediatrics)
• Raija Sipilä, Editor in Chief, Finnish Medical Society Duodecim (healthcare)
• Aleksi Tornio, Assistant Professor, University of Turku (clinical pharmacology)
• Sabiina Ylönen, Senior Dental Advisor, Kela (dentistry, oral healthcare)

Section for Pharmaceutical Affairs

Chair

• Helena Kastarinen, Medical Director, Kela (internal medicine, nephrology)

SecretaryKatariina Klintrup, Senior Medical Advisor, Kela (oncology)

Members

• Eija Lönnroos, Professor, University of Eastern Finland (geriatrics)
• Anna-Kaisa Parkkila, Chief Assessment Physician, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County and FinCCHTA (neurology)
• Maija Pihlajamäki, Senior Medical Advisor, Kela (neurology)
• Anne Rönneberg, Coordinator, Kela (implementation of drug reimbursement system)
• Jarmo Salo, Head of Department, Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District (pediatrics)
• Aleksi Tornio, Assistant Professor, University of Turku (clinical pharmacology)
• Juho Wedenoja, Senior Medical Officer in Charge of Development, Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea (healthcare, ophthalmology)