The Clinician Scientist Programs of Schleswig-Holstein under one roof

Researching clinicians are in high demand throughout Germany and are essential for clinical research. In recent years, the Kiel University (CAU) and the University of Lübeck (UzL), together with the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), have launched several "Clinician Scientist" programs - also on the initiative of the Cluster of Excellence "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" (PMI). These give young doctors the opportunity to work scientifically during their specialist training by giving them the freedom to conduct research. At the same time, the programs ensure clinical and scientific qualification.

The programs are bundled in the state-wide PHSH Clinician Scientist Academy under the umbrella of Precision Health in Schleswig-Holstein (PHSH), a joint institution of CAU, UzL and UKSH. In a ceremony on Wednesday, October 4, the Academy was renamed the "Detlef Zillikens Clinician Scientist Academy" in honor of Prof. Detlef Zillikens (1958-2022). Zillikens, a former professor at UzL and founding member of the Cluster of Excellence PMI, was particularly interested in promoting young clinical scientists and was a key driving force behind the Clinician Scientist Programs in Schleswig-Holstein.

"The state-wide Detlef Zillikens Clinician Scientist Academy of PHSH stands for a common identity in university medicine in Schleswig-Holstein and for a strong presence in the competition for the best researching clinicians," emphasized Prof. Philip Rosenstiel, spokesperson of PHSH, at the ceremony. The Academy's tasks include cross-location quality assurance as well as the coordination of overarching training elements and joint activities of active clinician scientists.

Prof. Gabriele Gillessen-Kaesbach, President of UzL: "Detlef Zillikens was not only a gifted scientist, but was also particularly committed to the introduction, establishment and further development of the Clinician Scientist Programs in Schleswig-Holstein and thus opened up this exciting career option to many young clinicians."

Prof. Simone Fulda, President of the Kiel University: "With the Detlef Zillikens Clinician Scientist Academy, we want to attract and promote the best researching physicians for Schleswig-Holstein by offering them an excellent framework supported by a common identity."

Prof. Jens Scholz, CEO UKSH: "Working on the transfer of scientific findings to the clinic and vice versa is at the heart of the work of a university hospital and the special trademark of clinician scientists at all career levels. In the Detlef Zillikens Clinician Scientist Academy, we are creating the second largest hub of Clinician Scientists in Germany for our more than 90 Clinician Scientists, who receive further training in 14 medical specialties and conduct research there at the same time - a turbo for excellence at the UKSH!"

Friederike Kampschulte, Head of the Department of Research Innovation and University Medicine at the Ministry of Research: "The Detlef Zillikens Clinician Scientist Academy Schleswig-Holstein stands for creating optimal opportunities for our junior staff in university medicine in Schleswig-Holstein to pursue the challenging path of a clinician scientist - for the benefit of all of us, the population. It will be the task of all of us to continue on this path."

Prof. Stefan Schreiber, spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence PMI: "Detlef Zillikens has not only made an extraordinary commitment to young scientists, he has also created the first clinician scientist program with a curriculum that he coordinated in advance with the German "Ärztekammer". This curriculum guarantees the young clinician scientists a clearly balanced scientific and clinical training, and also creates certainty for both sides as to how this interlinked training takes place and how high quality is achieved on both sides."