Period of growth: 2019 until today

2020

27 November 2020

MHB is entitled to confer doctorates. MHB doctoral regulations enter into force on the date of publication in the official journal of the Brandenburg University of Technology. Doctoral studies can now also be pursued at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

2 October 2020

Two matriculation ceremonies are organised for the new students of psychotherapy and medicine, under strict regulations due to Corona. Prof. Dr. Ulrike Liedtke as president of the Brandenburg parliament, Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle and Health Minister Dr. Ursula Nonnemacher attend, praise the MHB and congratulate the beginners. Dr. Nonnemacher calls developments at the MHB and specifically the advances in teaching a “true success story in and for the State of Brandenburg”, and thanks all involved for their efforts and initiative.

18 September 2020

Endowed professorship of general medicine: The Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) and the Johanniter Hospital Stendal in Saxony-Anhalt jointly establish an endowed professorship of general medicine to train medical students and future specialists in general medicine in Stendal and to initiate research projects. The Johanniter organisation (Order of St. John) provides funding of approximately 1 million € over a period of five years.

31 August 2020

New direct programme in psychotherapy: In the coming winter term the Brandenburg Medical School is one of the first universities in Germany to offer direct programmes in psychotherapy not only for 30 Bachelor students but also for about 40 Master students. The new psychotherapy law entered into force on 1 September 2020, with altered framework conditions for the training of psychological psychotherapists. Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle praises the MHB for seizing the initiative early on and for offering Bachelor graduates a direct transition to the Master course. She explicitly welcomes the MHB concept of clinical training in cooperating hospitals as an integral part of student education right from the start, with immediate benefits for psychotherapy care in the region.

20 August 2020

Study on CoVID-19 patients in intensive care: The Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) and the Helios Clinics jointly publish a first nationwide study on CoVID-19 patients in intensive care.

25 July 2020

Funding for research project from Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF): CoronaCare project explores social health in times of Corona. How has the lockdown in the context of the Corona pandemic affected social health among the general population? This is the core question underlying the “CoronaCare” project at the MHB, one of 90 Corona-related research projects nationwide funded by the BMBF with a total of € 45 million. A share of € 425.305 goes to Prof. Dr. Christine Holmberg and her team at the MHB Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology.

15 July 2020

ERASMUS programme: Brandenburg Medical School officially recognised as ERASMUS partner institution. Funding via the programmes Erasmus+ and PROMOS is now available for stays abroad.

06 June 2020

MHB organises first virtual Open Day: Dr. Eric Hoffmann, head of MHB communications, has planned and organised the information day together with a team of students and staff: “The idea is to present our specific formats of teaching and learning in virtual space to all prospective students of medicine and psychology at the MHB who want to form a personal impression of the MHB, its students and teachers.”

20 May 2020

DGK doctoral scholarship for MHB student. Jonathan Nübel, 11th-semester medical student, receives the Otto Hess doctoral scholarship from the German Cardiac Society DGK as the first student at the Brandenburg Medical School to be sponsored by the renowned medical society.

11 May 2020

1st cohort takes second medical state examination: The National Institute for Medical and Pharmaceutical Examination Questions IMPP reports that 40 out of 42 medical students from the very first cohort, have successfully passed the second medical state examination. Dean Prof. Markus Deckert underlines the significance of this event for the faculty and the entire MHB and congratulates all successful participants: “You are among those who have joined efforts to set up our university and vindicated what many believed to be a risky venture. The first class of medical students faced considerable challenges and unconventional situations and hopefully enjoyed their achievements. You have argued and campaigned and persevered, and certainly learned lots of unusual things that were – or were not - part of our didactic concept. The second state examination is an important stage on the way to an independent career in the medical profession.”

15 April 2020

MHB student initiative and German Bone Marrow Donor File DKMS start virtual typification campaign. The DKMS, a non-profit limited liability company, collects and organises donations of stem cells to patients suffering from leukaemia, to whom this means a second chance in life.

3 April 2020

Grant programme Deutschlandstipendium: The grants available for MHB students from the Deutschlandstipendium programme can be raised to the unprecedented number of 30. Nadine Shalala who oversees the programme at the MHB notes with pride that this young university once again awarded the highest possible number of grants. This is based upon the number of students enrolled and the volume of privately raised funding. 150 € per month come from private sponsors, the same amount is added from the Federal budget.

26 March 2020

Brandenburg government funding for MHB: The Brandenburg coalition party groups – Social Democrats, Christian Democrats and Green Party – agreed to amend the supplementary budget for 2020 by a funding proposal in support of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), and the budget and finance committee unanimously decided on the amount of 6.6 million Euro. MHB president Prof. Edmund Neugebauer says this is great news for the MHB, for the region and its population: “One reason to establish the MHB five years ago was to secure and improve medical care in the state of Brandenburg. The promised funds will serve to expand our research activities.”

13 March 2020

CoVID-19 pandemic: Frank Hufert, MHB professor of virology, heads a task force for dealing with the Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2); the MHB decides on preventive measures to protect students and staff in addition to recommended rules of conduct. MHB president Prof. Edmund Neugebauer points to the high infectivity of the virus before symptoms occur since it multiplies in the upper respiratory tract. He warns that an uncontained spread, even under most favourable conditions, can overstrain the health system with severe courses and increased numbers of avoidable fatalities. The Brandenburg Medical School, so Neugebauer, bears a specific responsibility for health care and society.

20 February 2020

Junior research team for rehabilitation sciences / health services research: The Berlin-Brandenburg section of the German Pension Insurance DRV establishes a junior research team for rehabilitation sciences / health services research at the MHB centre for outcomes research ZVF-BB for an initial five years.

10 February 2020

Stefanie Oess, professor of biochemistry, receives coveted teaching award for third time in a row. Stefanie Oess says she is honoured and delighted to be named best teacher once again: “I came here three years ago because I found the innovative MHB concept with its close connection to clinical practice very convincing and planned to break new ground in teaching. For instruction in biochemistry this required a new focus, less on detailed factual knowledge and more on an understanding of broader concepts and their application in clinical contexts. I perceive this renewed distinction as a clear sign that we are on the right track.”

2019

2 December 2019

Students from the MHB anti-sexism initiative organise a first campaign day at the university.

1 October 2019

MHB doubles number of available places in medicine from 48 to 96. In future, beginners can start their medical studies in the winter term as well. An additional small cohort of 24 newcomers is admitted for the winter term 2019/20.

10 September 2019

MHB hosts 1st Brandenburg Congress on Health Services Research. The event brings health care practicians together with researchers to discuss issues of health care provision and generate research questions. Among the participants are Science Minister Dr. Martina Münch and Health Minister Susanna Karawanskij.

5 July 2019

MHB takes seventh position in ranking of medical schools. Every four years the Hartmannbund, the association of medical doctors in Germany, awards prizes for the quality of medical education. Competing for the first time, the Brandenburg Medical School takes the seventh position.

12 June 2019

Praise for MHB from Jens Spahn. Through the agency of Dr. Dietlind Tiemann and Sebastian Steineke as members of the Federal Parliament, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (Christian Democrats) visits the Brandenburg Medical School. He confirms a very positive impression and promises to keep the MHB in mind in all decisions at federal level that might affect the MHB.

17 May 2019

MHB continues to grow and prosper. About 150 invited guests attend the ceremony to inaugurate the new teaching and research facility of the MHB on the premises of the Ruppiner Kliniken. In his words of thanks MHB president Prof. Dr. Edmund A. Neugebauer looks back on the eventful past of the building and on the comparatively short history of the MHB which started with 48 medical students and 24 students of psychology just four years ago. He describes the institution’s rapid development and dynamic growth to now over 400 enrolled students and about 35 professors. The building, so Neugebauer, offers more than 3,500 square meters on four floors under one roof for teaching events, research activities and administrative offices which up to now have been distributed over several different locations in town and on the hospital grounds.

10 April 2019

New event series: Research is calling! A research colloquium has been started in digital format via the MHB video conference system, with a total of 31 connected participants of the premiere across all MHB locations.

29 – 30 March 2019

MHB Skills Lab hosts symposium. The Skills Lab of the MHB with facilities on the Campus Brandenburg and the Campus Neuruppin hosts the 14th International Skills Lab Symposium (iSLS 2019) with approximately 200 participants.

4 March 2019

Ceremonious farewell to first psychology graduates. The first Bachelor and Master students of psychology have successfully completed their studies. MHB president Edmund Neugebauer praises their dedication, pioneering spirit and perseverance in the build-up stage: “Thank you for your trust and the chance to write history together.” The first Bachelor students started in April 2015 together with students of medicine, and the first Master students followed in 2016.

15 February 2019

Brandenburg supports new MHB faculty with 6.4 million Euro. MHB president Prof. Edmund Neugebauer, Martin Pangritz as manager of the Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Campus gGmbH and Brandenburg Minister of Science and Research Dr. Martina Münch sign an agreement on funding from the state of Brandenburg for the new Faculty of Health Sciences. The MHB will receive 1.6 million Euro per year to finance four professorships over the coming four years.

7 February 2019

MHB again participates in national grant programme. Official approval for further funding. Starting with the summer term 2019, the MHB can award up to 22 scholarships. In 2017 the MHB joined the programme with seven grants, and the number rose to 14 one year later. Dr. Eric Alexander Hoffmann as head of communications had suggested participation in the nation-wide grant programme and specifically thanks the foundation of the local savings bank Sparkasse Ostprignitz-Ruppin for their support right from the start. Half of the 300 Euros per month and recipient come from private donors, the other half from federal funds.

Set-up phase 2015 – 2018

2018

10 December 2018

MHB visits Medical School of TECHNION Israel Institute of Technology/Haifa. An MHB delegation led by Dean Prof. Dr. Edmund Neugebauer visits the Faculty of Medicine at the TECHNION in Haifa/Israel which was founded in 1924. Objectives of the visit are personal exchange, consolidation of existing relations and a partnership agreement.

19 November 2018

Start of Brandenburg Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials (KKS-BB). The newly founded Brandenburg Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials (KKS-BB) starts work with a first research workshop. The aim is to inform medical and scientific staff of the MHB of the significance of non-commercial science-based clinical trials, so called Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs), and of ways to obtain support from the newly founded coordination centre.

30 October 2018

Wall decoration against right-wing extremism. MHB students have joined forces with Neuruppin’s Mayor Jens-Peter Golde to assume sponsorship for the design of the wall outside the town hall. The initiative “for diversity – against xenophobia” is a clear statement against racism and xenophobia in Neuruppin.

15 October 2018

Cross of the Order of Merit for MHB founding president. Prof. Dr. Dieter Nürnberg, gastroenterologist and MHB founding president, is awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Brandenburg Science Minister Dr. Martina Münch (Social Democrats) confers the honour on the premises of the Potsdam Ministry of Science, Research and Cultural Affairs. 

13/14 October 2018

MHB van on tour. The town of Guben is the destination of the MHB van with seven medical students on board on its first tour to the countryside in Brandenburg. The idea is to visit regions threatened by a shortage of medical care and raise their chances to attract physicians.

10 September 2018

First scientific publication by MHB student. The September issue of the renowned US journal “Academic Medicine” publishes a paper entitled “Bodies for Anatomy Education in Medical Schools: An overview of the Sources of Cadavers Worldwide”, the first with an MHB medical student as lead author. Supervised by Prof. Andreas Winkelmann, director of the MHB Institute of Anatomy, Juri Habicht has explored the procurement of bodies used by anatomists all over the world in dissection courses. 

6/9 September 2018

MHB students as tutors at Euroson Ultrasound Congress in Poznan. Over 1,000 students, physicians and instructors with an interest in ultrasound attend this year’s meeting of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The event gives MHB students Benedikt Seckinger, Adrian Gahleitner, David Boten and Gregor Barth the opportunity to pass on the knowledge and skills acquired in ultrasound tutor training to other attending students. 

12 July 2018

MHB Skills Lab receives GMA certificate. The German Association for Medical Education (GMA) awards its first quality label in Germany to LuK and BLiTZ. The Teaching and Communication Centre (LuK) in Neuruppin and the Brandenburg Centre for Learning and Interdisciplinary Training (BLiTZ) in Brandenburg an der Havel are the first skills labs in Germany to receive the quality label from the GMA’s Practical Skills Committee (APF). 

24/29 June 2018

Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates. MHB medical student Patrick Timm attends this year’s Lindau meeting of Nobel Laureates. Participants - this year a majority from the fields of medicine, physiology and chemistry – primarily address research issues related to the internal biological clock, personalized medicine and genetic engineering. Other topics are fake news, scientific communication and the practices involved. Summing up his impressions, Timm says a personal dream has come true.    

25 June 2018

Joint Faculty of Health Sciences. The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, the University of Potsdam and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg sign a cooperation agreement for a joint new Faculty of Health Sciences in Potsdam today. The Brandenburg Minister of Science and Research Martina Münch presents the required permission. As core element of the Brandenburg Health Campus, the new institution aims to establish innovative degree programmes to address current issues in health sciences, and to develop new concepts for medical and nursing care. One focus will be on research into age-related diseases. 

2 June 2018

Information Day: a total success! The Higher Education Information Day (HIT) at MHB attracts large crowds. About 1,000 prospective applicants have registered to enquire about MHB programmes in medicine and psychology and get a personal impression on site. 

17 May 2018

Teddy clinic. The MHB campus in Brandenburg an der Havel turns into a teddy clinic for cuddly toys of kindergartners. The extracurricular student project aims to put pre-school children at ease in situations involving doctors and medical treatment, and offers a setting where not children themselves but their cuddly toys and dolls are examined and “treated”. The invitation to local nursery schools meets with enthusiastic response. The student initiative reports registrations for 90 children between three and six on the first day. 

5 May 2018

MHB joins Potsdam Science Day. The Potsdam-Golm university campus hosts the 6th Potsdam Science Day on Saturday, 5 May 2018. Researchers from over 40 Brandenburg institutions of higher education and research offer exciting insights into their activities. The general public is invited to “explore, discover and join in”.

21 February 2018

Market Place of Clinics. The hospital network Ruppiner Kliniken again hosts this matchmaking event in their ceremonial hall. Medical directors, hospital managers, personnel officers and physicians from 13 cooperating clinics meet 48 beginners who will start their medical studies in April. A special feature is that the hospitals assume part of tuition fees, i.e. 80.000 euros per student. In return students commit themselves to complete their 5-year specialist training at a specific hospital after graduation. This year the cooperating clinics award a total of 32 loans.

20 February 2018

First endowed professorship at MHB. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christian Wenger, medical technology expert at the IHP – Leibniz Institute of Innovative Microelectronics, is appointed professor of microelectronics in medical technology at the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane.

12 February 2018

Teaching award 2018. Medical students honour Stefanie Oess, MHB professor of biochemistry, with the teaching award 2018 as the best instructor.

2 February 2018

Scientific internship. The campus Brandenburg an der Havel hosts the first student-organized scientific congress where students present projects from their scientific internship. Medical student Christian Blei is awarded first prize for his study on “seamless versus conventional aortic valve replacement as an option to reduce perioperative stress”.