Dirk grew up in Jezus-Eik (Overijse) and went to primary and secondary school there.

Dirk studied medicine at the VUB and has been working as a general practitioner in Overijse since 1991.

He worked for the Scientific Institute of Public Health (now Sciensano) for 10 years.

In 2004 he obtained his doctorate at the VUB (cardiovascular prevention).

One year later he became professor of general medicine and a year later chairman of the general practice department.

In 2006 he became chairman of the educational council of the Interuniversity Center for General Practice Training (ICHO) and from 2010 to 2020 he was Chairman of the ICHO Executive Committee.

His research focuses on cardiovascular prevention and integrated care.

He successfully developed projects funded by the WHO, EU, KCE and Innoviris.

Between 2014 and 2018 he acted as an advisor for Maggie De Block, Minister of Public Health.

Between 2019 and 2023 he was alderman in Overijse responsible for education, health and childcare.

He is a member of the 'Hoge Raad van Artsen-specialisten en Huisartsen'.

Since 2000 he has served on the board of the Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty and was elected Dean of the Faculty in 2020.

As a dean, he is also member of the Executive Council of UZ Brussels, the Academic Council and the University Council of VUB.