Charité under new leadership: Prof. Dr. Heyo K. Kroemer becomes Charité's new Chief Executive Officer

Prof. Dr. Karl Max Einhäupl led Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin for a period of eleven years. He is succeeded by Prof. Dr. Heyo K. Kroemer, who was appointed Charité’s new Chief Executive Officer on 1 September. A pharmacologist by trade, Prof. Kroemer joins Charité from the University of Göttingen’s Medical Center, where he held the positions of Dean and Chairman of the Managing Board. At the official ceremony to mark the handover, representatives from Charité were joined by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Michael Müller, to welcome the event’s more than 180 invited guests.

In his speech, Michael Müller paid tribute to Prof. Einhäupl and his 11 successful years at the helm of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: “Prof. Einhäupl produced fantastic results across all of Charité’s campuses and disciplines, turning Charité into the outstanding center of research, teaching and medical care it is today. Budgetary consolidation certainly counts as one of his major achievements at Charité. However, he was even more instrumental in enhancing Charité’s international visibility and assisting in the development of successful partnerships such as the Berlin Institute of Health, the Berlin University Alliance and the Oxford-Berlin Research Partnership. Similarly remarkable was his personal commitment to the modernization of the ‘Bettenhaus’ ward building, Charité’s largest construction project over the past few decades. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude and I wish him all the very best for the future!”

Michael Müller continued: “Prof. Kroemer’s appointment as Prof. Einhäupl’s successor means that we have once again succeeded in securing the best possible candidate for this demanding position. I am delighted, both for Charité and for Berlin, that he is now taking over as Charité’s Chief Executive Officer. As one of the most distinguished science management specialists, he brings with him a unique set of skills and experience. This will enable him to work with Charité’s members of staff and students to maintain the organization’s current successful course, in addition to producing new ideas and momentum for the pursuit of outstanding research and cutting-edge medical care. Key requirements in this regard will be the implementation of the ‘Gesundheitsstadt Berlin’ (Berlin as health capital) initiative and the further development of Charité’s campuses. We wish him every success in these endeavors!”

Commenting on his move to Charité, Prof. Kroemer said: “As one of the largest university hospitals in Europe, Charité stands for outstanding quality in the fields of research, teaching and medical care. The prospect of leading this internationally renowned institution is both extremely appealing and challenging.” Prof. Kroemer regards it as his responsibility “to shape and further develop the enormous potential both Charité and Berlin have to offer within the medical and research environments, and to do so by working with both Charité’s members of staff and the region’s relevant stakeholders.” Praising his predecessor’s achievements, the new Chief Executive Officer said: “Prof. Einhäupl’s achievements at Charité are both great and varied. It is thanks to his strong leadership that Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin enjoys an outstanding reputation in the fields of research and patient care, and its medical training is held in such high regard internationally.”

Thanking everyone for their kind words, Prof. Einhäupl remarked: “Budgetary consolidation was certainly an important achievement. But a much greater achievement, in my opinion, was the successful revival of the Charité brand.” Prof. Einhäupl went on to congratulate his successor on his appointment: “Ensuring that an institution as prominent and important as Charité continues to evolve requires the regular injection of fresh incentives and new ideas, as well as the creation of new networks. I am delighted to be able to leave Charité in Prof. Kroemer’s capable hands. His task won’t be an easy one – nobody knows this better than I. However, I have every confidence that he will succeed in further increasing Charité’s research visibility, intensifying its digital transformation, and enhancing its international profile and reach as a brand. We have had many positive discussions and exchanges over the past few months and will be able to ensure a smooth transition. I wish Prof. Kroemer and Charité every success in the future!”

Contact

Manuela Zingl
Spokesperson
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
t: +49 30 450 570 400