Highlights
2024
Jan
Branched vascular prosthesis eliminates the need for open heart surgery
A team of vascular surgeons at UKHD has implanted a novel branched vascular prosthesis via catheter in the upper section of the aorta for the first time in Europe. So-called stent grafts, vascular supports made of very fine wire mesh with a plastic coating, reliably stabilize life-threatening dilations of the aorta. Until now, they could not be used in the uppermost section of the aorta, the aortic arch, because of the arteries branching off to the brain and arms, which meant that open surgery was necessary. In the future, the new stent will primarily benefit patients with a high surgical risk and those in emergency situations.
Feb
A warm welcome: international nursing staff at the UKHD
People from all over the world are moving to Heidelberg to start their careers at the UKHD. Four times a year, the nursing management welcomes new colleagues to the nursing service who have come to the city on the Neckar from abroad – in 2024, there were a total of 91 new employees. They are from countries including the Philippines, Tunisia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and Turkey. Most of them join the UKHD through the Triple Win program. They have come a long way: after completing their training in their home country, they spend a year at the UKHD gaining practical experience and taking language and integration courses. Once they have passed their knowledge test, they receive full recognition and can work in nursing at the UKHD on a long-term basis.
Infection research: Heisenberg professorship for Claudia Denkinger
The German Research Foundation has established a Heisenberg professorship for infectious diseases and tropical medicine (W3) for Prof. Dr. Claudia Denkinger at the Center for Infectious Diseases. Together with her team and international cooperation partners, Prof. Denkinger develops and evaluates novel diagnostic and screening tools, such as a risk assessment app for individual tuberculosis risk. At the same time, the UKHD is expanding its care for patients with infectious diseases: The “Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine” department headed by Prof. Denkinger is now operating as an independent department at the Center for Infectious Diseases. In addition, a new “Infectious Diseases” division headed by her has been established with beds in the Medical Clinic to care for patients with difficult-to-treat or newly emerging infections.
Mär
Collecting data on climate-related stressors
Dr. Sandra Barteit, head of the Digital Global Health working group at the Heidelberg Institute for Global Health (HIGH), and her team are investigating how climate change – in particular extreme heat and high humidity – affects health and nature, and finding out what measures can be used to protect the environment and health. The Carl Zeiss Foundation is funding the “PULSE-AI” project as part of the Nexus funding program (CZS Nexus) with around 1.5 million euros over five years. The team collects health data using wearable watches and wristbands, known as wearables, and uses 3D-printed weather stations in addition to satellite-based information. The heterogeneous data is linked in an innovative graph database and analyzed using artificial intelligence.
40 years of purple ladies and gentlemen at the UKHD
The purple ladies and gentlemen of the Ecumenical Hospital Assistance Service at the UKHD work with heart, passion, an open ear, and a friendly smile. In spring 2024, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, they celebrated their 40th anniversary. Around 60 guests from the hospital, the federal association, and sponsors attended the celebration at the Surgical Clinic. The Purple Ladies and Gentlemen support patients in the ambulances, on the wards, and in the day clinics – whether with a cup of tea or coffee and cookies or with time for deep and emotional conversations.
Luise Poustka joins the Expert Council on Health and Resilience
Prof. Dr. Luise Poustka, Medical Director of the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, has been appointed to the Expert Council on Health and Resilience. The council supports the federal government in matters of public health. The Expert Council includes scientists from various disciplines, including public health, ethics, medicine, nursing sciences, social sciences, and virology. They work on a voluntary and independent basis. The chairmanship is shared by Prof. Dr. Susanne Moebus from Essen University Hospital and the Chairman of the Board of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Prof. Dr. Heyo Kroemer.
New member of STIKO: Prof. Dr. Alexander Dalpke
Prof. Dr. Alexander Dalpke is a new member of the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO). The Medical Director of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene and Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of Infectious Diseases is a microbiologist and immunologist. His scientific work focuses on infectious immunology, which also deals with the development and application of vaccines, among other things. His scientific focus has resulted in expertise specifically in RNA vaccines and newly developed adjuvants/vaccine boosters. STIKO is an independent, voluntary expert committee that develops vaccination recommendations for the population in Germany. It is guided by the criteria of evidence-based medicine and takes into account both the individual benefits for vaccinated persons and the benefits for the entire population.
Apr
Heidelberg City Training Award goes to two UKHD trainees
Two UKHD trainees, Elena Allnoch and Luisa Hauk, were honored with the Heidelberg City Training Award for their outstanding achievements. In the 2023 graduation year, they were among the best trainees in Heidelberg companies. Elena Allnoch completed her training as an anesthesia technician (ATA) at the Academy for Health Professions (AfG) with a grade of 1.0. Luisa Hauk, who trained as an orthopedic technician in the Technical Orthopedics department at the Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery, and Paraplegiology, graduated with a grade of 1.1. With this award, the City of Heidelberg aims to highlight and give visibility to the topic of training in this traditionally science-oriented location.
Mai
Prinzhorn Collection involved in new collaborative research center
As part of Heidelberg University’s new collaborative research center (SFB) “Heimat(en): Phenomena, Practices, Representations,” the Prinzhorn Collection at the UKHD is investigating how psychiatric patients around 1900 artistically processed the concept of “Heimat” (home). Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the SFB is conducting interdisciplinary research into the historical and global significance of home. The subproject “Heimat(en) draußen und drinnen” (Home(s) outside and inside), led by PD Dr. Thomas Röske (Prinzhorn Collection) and Prof. Dr. Maike Rotzoll (University of Marburg), analyzes works from the Prinzhorn Collection to explore the artistic self-locations of psychiatric patients of that time.
Jun
Successful Collaborative Research Centers
The Medical Faculty was once again successful in securing one of the coveted Collaborative Research Centers of the German Research Foundation (DFG): The transregional Collaborative Research Center/TRR179 “Determinants and Dynamics of Elimination versus Persistence of Hepatitis Virus Infection” at the MFHD, coordinated by Heidelberg University, impressed with its groundbreaking research results and will receive funding of €15 million for a third extension over the next four years. The spokesperson is Prof. Ralf Bartenschlager, Director of the Department of Molecular Virology at the Center for Infectious Diseases. The transregional Collaborative Research Center TRR379 “Neuropsychobiology of Aggression” was newly established. Prof. Sabine Herpertz, Medical Director of the Clinic for General Psychiatry, represents the Heidelberg and Mannheim sites; Prof. Dr. Ute Habel from RWTH Aachen University is the spokesperson.
Jul
New therapeutic approaches to kidney disease
Prof. Dr. Matias Simons, Deputy Director of the Institute of Human Genetics and Head of the Nephrogenetics Section, has received proof-of-concept funding from the European Research Council (ERC) for his RENOTREAT project. He and his team are investigating whether a naturally occurring amino acid can slow the progression of kidney disease and prolong the life of those affected. This substance has already been proven safe in herpes simplex virus infections and malnutrition. The grant is worth €150,000 for 12 months.
ERC Starting Grant for malaria research
Malaria affects millions of people every year and claims hundreds of thousands of lives. Resistance makes it difficult to combat, and there is no effective vaccine. Dr. Franziska Hentzschel from the Center for Infectiology is researching new strategies against malaria and has received a €1.5 million ERC Starting Grant for her work. Her focus is on a unique protein complex (Arp2/3) in the malaria pathogen Plasmodium, which controls the division of genetic material in the male sex cells of the parasite. Without this complex, the pathogen dies in the mosquito before it can infect humans. The research could open up new ways to prevent the transmission of malaria.
Aug
Anita and Friedrich Reutner Prize from the MFHD
In 2024, two female scientists were awarded the Anita and Friedrich Reutner Prize from the Heidelberg Medical Faculty. Scientist Dr. Shirin Nkongolo is researching the molecular basis for a better understanding of the consequences of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Dr. Simone Feurstein is intensively involved in research into genetically inheritable variants in forms of blood cancer, known as hematological cancers. The founder, Prof. Dr. Friedrich Reutner, Honorary Senator of Heidelberg University, supports young female scientists at Heidelberg Medical School who do not yet hold an established position with this annual prize, which is endowed with 10,000 euros. This year, the two prize winners will share the prize money.
Student Council Award for Excellence in Teaching at the MFHD
For the first time, the Heidelberg Medical Student Council has presented the PaLMe Teaching Award for excellence in teaching at the Faculty of Medicine. The new award recognizes lecturers who are committed to their teaching and continuously develop their courses in a professional manner. The PaLMe Teaching Award is presented in two categories. In the category “Best Preclinical Teaching,” the student council honored Prof. Dr. Sebastian Schuck from the Biochemistry Center at Heidelberg University (BZH). In the category “Best Clinical Teaching,” Dr. Markus Ganter, Center for Infectiology, and PD Dr. Katrin Meisenbacher, Clinic for Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery, received the PaLMe Award.
Aptitude test for communication: identifying talent for the medical profession
What makes a good doctor? From the patient’s perspective, social skills and good communication are just as important as specialist knowledge. At the MFHD, socio-communicative skills relevant to the medical profession are therefore taken into account in the allocation of study places via an additional selection quota. For this purpose, the Coordination Office for Selection Procedures, heiTEST, has developed the “Interactional Competencies Medicine” (IC-MD) test. The IC-MD supplements existing medical aptitude tests in the allocation process for medical school places in Heidelberg. A research group from heiTEST has scientifically examined the IKM. The team has now published the convincing results in the journal Advances in Health Sciences Education.
Sep
125 years of the Thorax Clinic
The Thorax Clinic Heidelberg celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2024. Originally a hunting lodge, it was converted into a convalescent home for lung patients in 1898. After being used as a military hospital, it developed into Germany’s largest specialist clinic for lung diseases. Since 2011, it has been part of the UKHD and is now one of the leading centers for thoracic medicine. In addition to state-of-the-art treatment methods, it is renowned for its excellent research and international collaborations. Today, the clinic has 1,100 employees, more than 45,000 patients, and 2,000 operations per year.
University Medicine: Successful in national and international comparisons
Heidelberg University Medicine is among the best nationally and internationally. MFHD students once again achieved the best results nationwide in the first state examination: on average, they answered 81.2 percent of the questions correctly – well above the national average (73.0 percent). Heidelberg University Medicine also impresses in international rankings: in the renowned Shanghai Ranking, it ranks first in Germany and 17th globally in clinical medicine. In medical technology, it ranks second in Germany and 16th worldwide. In the “World’s Best Hospitals 2024” ranking by Newsweek and Statista, the UKHD ranked 15th among 2,400 clinics worldwide. In Germany, the UKHD ranks second, just behind Berlin’s Charité.
Innovative nursing projects honored
The sixth Heidelberg Nursing Award honored three innovative projects aimed at improving patient care and job satisfaction at the UKHD. The award recognizes initiatives by nursing teams that use creative approaches to improve the quality of care. First place went to the “Family Guide” project from the Center for Psychosocial Medicine, which supports relatives of patients with mental or somatic illnesses. Second place went to “Heidelberg Onboarding in Pediatrics” for smoother career entry. Third place went to the digitization of patient information material for better counseling, a project from the Center for Internal Medicine.
Okt
New Director of the Department of Otolaryngology: Prof. Dr. Patrick Schuler
On October 1, Patrick Schuler took up his professorship in Otolaryngology at Heidelberg University’s Faculty of Medicine and assumed leadership of the ENT Clinic at the UKHD. His focus is on researching and treating head and neck tumors with innovative immunotherapies. Prof. Schuler succeeds Prof. Peter Plinkert, who is retiring after 20 years. He is particularly interested in the versatility of his field, which combines surgical and conservative therapies. In Heidelberg, Prof. Schuler can expect a strong network in cancer medicine with numerous opportunities for collaboration in surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, as well as new procedures involving immune and cell therapies.
Prof. Dr. Eva Winkler appointed to the German Ethics Council
Eva Winkler, Heisenberg Professor of Translational Medical Ethics at MFHD, has been appointed to the German Ethics Council. As an oncologist and medical ethicist, she heads the Section for Translational Medical Ethics at NCT Heidelberg and UKHD and works as a senior physician in the Department of Medical Oncology at UKHD. The Ethics Council advises politicians and society on bioethical issues and provides guidance through statements. Winkler is particularly committed to the ethically accompanied transfer of research into patient care. Her expertise in medical ethics and data ethics strengthens the interdisciplinary work of the council.
Topping-out ceremony: New staff apartments on Wieblinger Weg
On October 15, GGH celebrated the topping-out ceremony for 99 new apartments on Wieblinger Weg, which are being built for UKHD employees. Just seven months after construction began, the ceremony marks an important milestone. The apartments offer affordable living space in close proximity to Neuenheimer Feld and are optimally connected. Upon completion in May 2025, the UKHD will rent and manage the apartments. This housing project will help secure skilled employees and improve the quality of life for employees.
Nov
Rheumatism and cancer: Awards for Dr. Karolina Gente
Dr. Karolina Gente from the MFHD has been awarded three prizes for her research that explores the intersection of cancer and rheumatic diseases. She is investigating how cancer can be detected early in patients with rheumatic diseases and how these conditions can be safely managed in cancer patients. She has also established a consultation service at the UKHD, which is now available through telemedicine. Her work has been recognized by the German Society for Rheumatology, the Rheumatism League, and the German Rheumatism Foundation, providing funding totaling €30,000.
Customized 3D printing for oral and maxillofacial surgery
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding a project in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the UKHD with €1.2 million for the production of customized implants using 3D printing directly in the clinic. The aim is to provide faster, more efficient, and more precise care for patients with complex midface fractures as well as in reconstructive and oncological surgery. Close cooperation with an industry partner is intended to shorten innovation cycles and make patient-specific implants available more quickly.
15 years of the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT)
In November 2009, the HIT was opened as the first heavy ion therapy facility with a 360° rotating radiation source (gantry). It offers high-precision cancer treatment using heavy ion and proton therapy. This makes it possible to reach tumors located deep within the body or extremely resistant tumors with maximum precision while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This advantage is particularly important for tumors located close to sensitive tissues, such as the base of the skull, the optic nerve, or the intestine, as well as tumors in children and adolescents.
Dez
Kidney Center Heidelberg becomes part of UKHD
The Kidney Center Heidelberg (Nierenzentrum Heidelberg e.V.) is integrated into the Center for Internal Medicine at UKHD on January 1, 2025. The contract was signed at the end of 2024 after approval by the Federal Cartel Office in 2023. A W3 professorship for nephrology is to be established by mid-2025, with financial support from the Nierenzentrum e.V. The specialist clinic, which has around 180 employees, treats 2,000 inpatients and 13,000 outpatients annually. It has been located on the Im Neuenheimer Feld campus since 2005 and has worked closely with the UKHD.
Acute spinal cord injury: When antibodies help
An international study led by the University of Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, and UKHD investigated whether the antibody NG101 (anti-Nogo-A) improves neurological recovery in cases of acute traumatic spinal cord injury. The results, published in The Lancet Neurology, show significant improvements in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury for the first time. In these patients, antibody treatment led to better muscle control and greater independence in everyday life, while no effect was demonstrated in patients with complete spinal cord injury. The antibody proved to be well tolerated. A follow-up study with a further developed antibody will start in December 2024.
How the Brain Learns to Beat the Heat
In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers from Heidelberg University’s Faculty of Medicine have uncovered how the brain helps the body adapt to heat. The team showed that mice gradually exposed to warmer temperatures (36 °C for 30 days) became more tolerant to heat thanks to a small group of heat-sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus. These neurons didn’t just respond to heat – they changed. After long-term exposure, they remained stayed active, essentially “reprogramming” the brain to better regulate body temperature. When these neurons were blocked, the animals lost their newly acquired newfound heat tolerance. According to study leader Prof. Jan Siemens, the findings could shed light on how our bodies may adapt to a warming world – and what happens when those adaptations fail.