Witten/Herdecke University and Dortmund Hospital cooperate

From the winter semester 2021/22, two important locations for healthcare in the Ruhr region will be working hand in hand: the School of Medicine at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) and Dortmund Hospital. As a result, students from the university will complete clinical teaching at the hospital from October. Doctors at the hospital will also be able to complete their doctorate, habilitation and research through the university. On Monday, 5 July 2021, both partners signed the cooperation agreement in the presence of Dortmund's Lord Mayor Thomas Westphal.

"This is an important step for both institutions," said Westphal. Prof Dr Martin Butzlaff, President of Witten/Herdecke University, calls the cooperation "an absolute enrichment for both sides". "Like UW/H, Klinikum Dortmund is a non-profit organisation that identifies with the guiding principles and innovative teaching concept of UW/H." The partnership also plays an important role for the university for practical reasons: after doubling the number of medical students in the 2018/19 winter semester, the quality of training, work in small groups and close supervision should continue to be guaranteed. "Since our foundation in 1982, we have seen ourselves as pioneers of modern and innovative medical studies," says Prof Dr Stefan Wirth, Dean of the Faculty of Health. "Our students continue to expect plenty of room for practice and direct dialogue with doctors in hospitals and practices."

Connection has not only existed since the contract was signed

In terms of labour law, the trainee doctors are exclusively linked to the hospital, while the students are contractually linked to the university. "Each partner remains legally independent and only assumes obligations and rights within the framework of the cooperation," explains Rudolf Mintrop, Chairman of the Management Board of the hospital. "The contracts of the clinic directors involved in the cooperation will be extended to include at least teaching and, if possible, research."

Incidentally, the connection between the university and the hospital has not only existed since the contract was signed: Prof. Dr Dr Stefan Haßfeld, Director of the maxillofacial surgery clinic at the hospital, has been a Chair at Witten/Herdecke University for many years.