At the summer party, nearly 3,000 employees celebrated themselves and the university's 60th birthday.
Awarded in the ‘Patient’ category: Prof. Dr. Diane Renz accepted the certificate on behalf of Spieloase. Copyright: Axel Weiser / MHH
Excellent language support: Award winners in the category ‘Employees and Trainees’. Copyright: Axel Weiser / MHH
Impressive first aid concept: The interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Dr. Andreas Flemming received the LOM Award in the ‘MHH Special’ category. Copyright: Axel Weiser / MHH
Yesterday, the summer party for all employees of the Hanover Medical School (MHH) attracted nearly 3,000 employees to the lawn in front of the J2 building. Under the motto ‘Summer of 1965,’ they also celebrated the founding of MHH 60 years ago as the only purely medical university in Germany.
MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner opened the festivities. She began by paying tribute to former President Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns, who passed away a week ago, as a formative personality who influenced the MHH for decades as a physician, researcher and president. The guests observed a minute's silence in his memory. Despite the sad news, Professor Hilfiker-Kleiner took the opportunity to thank the staff on behalf of the Presidium for their tireless commitment and emphasised: ‘A summer party is a celebration of joy. Let's celebrate! Professor Manns would not have wanted it any other way.’
Nils Hoffmann, Chairman of the MHH Staff Council, recalled everything that happened in the year the MHH was founded before joining in the thanks to all employees and emphasising that each and every one of them makes an important contribution to the MHH. MHH Vice President Martina Saurin then thanked the MHH plus support foundation for its assistance and the campus children for their table decorations.
Awards for special commitment to patient care
The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the awards for the so-called Performance-Oriented Allocation of Funds in Patient Care (LOM-KV). ‘Healthcare cannot be provided alone,’ said MHH Vice President Prof. Dr. Frank Lammert, who is responsible for healthcare and presented the LOM awards with the support of MHH Director of Nursing Karol Martens and Director of Nursing Claudia Bredthauer. A total of 34 projects had submitted applications for the LOM awards.
Simulation MRI takes away children's fears
First place in the ‘Patients’ category went to the Spieloase team for a child-friendly simulation MRI in the form of a rocket. The simulator, which was financed by donations, will be set up in the MHH paediatric radiology department in autumn. It teaches children about the MRI examination process in a playful way and alleviates their fears, which improves the examination results. Anaesthesia or sedation can be avoided.
Language support for successful integration
In the ‘Employees and Trainees’ category, the Nursing Devision, together with the Integration Officer and Human Resources, was honoured for its language support programme for international nursing professionals. People from 105 nations work at MHH. To ensure their successful integration, the team developed a comprehensive language support programme in 2024. Classes are held in small groups at MHH.
First aid according to uniform standards
Since 2024, yellow backpacks containing first aid equipment (EVA) have been available at MHH. This university-wide project is revamping emergency care across the entire campus. The jury awarded the team from the Administrative Unit Interdisciplinary Emergency and Disaster Medicine in the ‘MHH Special’ category.
In future, all employees in all areas will be able to provide first aid according to uniform standards – vital for those affected and a great support for those providing assistance. From October 2025, the EVA team will offer two training courses a day.
‘For you, for us, we give our all’
Many guests dressed in keeping with the motto. Prizes were awarded for the best Sixties outfits. A DJ and the MHH band provided musical entertainment and created a lively atmosphere. Singer Sophie Koeppen sang the MHH song ‘Wir sind da – für euch alle Zeit’ (We are here – for you, always). Everyone joined in the chorus: ‘For you, for us, we give our all.’
The virtual book of condolences for Professor Mann can be found here.
Text: Camilla Mosel