Dr. Tom Mariën was born in Belgium on October 1st, 1970 .

In 1994, he graduated from the University of Ghent with highest distinction. He stayed on for one year as an assistant at the department of surgery. After which time he decided to further specialise in the United States where he trained under the eyes of Dean Richardson, Larry Bramlage, Barrie Grant, Alan Ruggles, and others. 

Since then Tom's had a remarkable career.

He developed new surgical techniques, which are used worldwide and is invited regularly as a guest speaker at international conferences. He published dozens of articles in scientific journals and was asked to co-author surgical textbooks (e.g. Equine Diagnostic & Surgical Laparoscopy).

In 2002 he founded his Equine Hospital “Equitom”. He chose Lummen, because of the central location within Belgium and Europe, as well as its easy accessibility from the major highways.  In the years to follow, the clinic became internationally renowned by riders and horse owners.  

To be able to keep up with the increasing demand, the team has expanded, and after 10 years, he was finally able to acquire the necessary permits to construct a new hospital. Minister Kris Peeters officially opened the new infrastructure in 2014.

A few months after the opening a growing demand existed for a specialised orthopaedic centre with a rehabilitation department.

Plans were made and the construction already started in 2016. The new infrastructure, purpose built for sports medicine and rehabilitation, officially opened on the 1st of September 2017.