Since 2014, Stiftung Charité has supported particularly dedicated senior physicians through its Clinical Fellows Program, recognizing them as key clinical service providers. Senior physicians at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin also receive support through other programs such as the Max Rubner Award, project and event funding, and the science x media Tandem Program. Over the past ten years, approximately 80 clinical leaders have implemented – or are currently implementing – their projects with support from Stiftung Charité. 51 of them continue to work as senior physicians at the Charité.

These physicians were invited to a networking evening on February 20, 2025, along with other committed colleagues involved in initiatives such as the Charité Leadership Curriculum or the Senior Physicians’ Seminar. Under the title Status quo and Perspectives for Physicians at a University Hospital, about 30 participants gathered at our Berlin office to share their experiences, challenges and perspectives on clinical work.

The event featured a keynote address by Prof. Dr. Martin E. Kreis, Chief Medical Officer of the Charité. In his talk, he addressed key structural and societal developments shaping clinical work at university hospitals now and in the future – such as digitalization, demographic change, and current healthcare policy. The subsequent discussion was characterized by open exchange, great interest and active participation – it exceeded well beyond the planned timeframe and continued during the informal reception afterward.

On December 5, 2024, Stiftung Charité hosted an exclusive evening for its recipients of Open Life Science funding at their premises on Novalisstraße. The grantees in this area have all demonstrated exceptional motivation and commitment to science communication and public engagement through their projects and continuing education. The fireside chat organized by the Stiftung brought them together in a format that combined substantive discussion with valuable networking opportunities. The gathering was enhanced by the presence of selected science communication practitioners from Berlin’s life sciences community, leadership figures from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin’s corporate communications team, and representatives from the Berlin Medical History Museum of the Charité.

The evening began with a discussion moderated by Dr. Nina Schmidt. The theme: When Science Meets Media: How to Achieve Good Science Communication Today and in the Future? Perspectives from Science, Journalism, and #SciComm. For this conversation, held under Chatham House Rules, Stiftung Charité brought together representatives from science, journalism, and professional science communication:

• Dr. Djawid Hashemi, Specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC); Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Graduate of the SciComm@Charité training program
• Christoph Koch, Stern author, former head of the magazine’s science section, Gruner + Jahr; Journalist with a Diploma in Human Biology
• Dr. Luiza Bengtsson, Head of the Museum and Society Department, Botanical Garden Berlin; Biochemist and science communicator

From their unique perspectives, Bengtsson, Hashemi, and Koch shared positive examples, criteria, and appropriate contexts for effective science communication, while also addressing current gaps in Germany’s scientific and media landscape. The panel then engaged with questions from the knowledgeable audience. Following this thought-provoking exchange, attendees enjoyed refreshments while continuing conversations and building connections.

Watch the video recording of the panel discussion on our Instagram (in German): https://www.instagram.com/stiftungcharite/