Partnerships with a regional impact
In the Midden-Nederland region, a healthy life expectancy for people in different neighborhoods can sometimes differ by as much as 10 years. UMC Utrecht is the partner that endeavors to improve patient care and reduce health disparities. We do this by working together with the community, other large employers, and healthcare and welfare organizations. Together, we give shape to Utrecht, Heart of Health . We focus on the health and happiness of Utrecht citizens, for instance through the Health Hub Utrecht network .
In 2024, in the scope of the Integral Healthcare Agreement (Integraal Zorgakkoord or IZA), we signed a number of partnerships with regional healthcare and welfare partners to maintain the accessibility and quality of care at a time when the demand for healthcare keeps growing while the number of people work in this field is decreasing. An example of this is the jouwziekenhuisbaan.nl (‘your hospital career’) platform [link to H3.1. Our colleagues - People]. This forms part of a larger cooperation between hospitals in the region to tackle staff shortages in hospitals. Facilitated by the recruitment organization Utrechtzorg, we are collaborating with Diakonessenhuis, Tergooi MC, Meander Medisch Centrum, St. Antonius Hospital, Princess Máxima Center, Rivierenland Hospital, and Gelderse Vallei Hospital.
Utrecht Cancer: targeted treatment improves patient prospects
For some time already, partners at Utrecht Science Park have been collaborating intensively on trailblazing research and developments in the treatment of cancer. The aim is to treat children, adults, and animals in a more targeted way and thereby improve patient outlooks. On September 30, 2024 we launched this unique partnership for cancer research with the official kick-off of the ‘Utrecht Cancer’ collaborative platform’. An example of innovative research is finding the best medicine for a specific tumor by means of organoids (mini organs grown from the patient’s tumors). We also use innocuous light to identify cancer cells and apply targeted treatment (image-guided treatment) [Link to H5.1 Research – People]. And in Utrecht, a super-fast AI algorithm was developed in combination with DNA-analysis technology. Thanks to this, for children with brain tumors, it can already be decided during surgery what the best operation would be.
Collaborating on AI: improving healthcare and keeping it accessible
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can contribute to solutions for challenges that we encounter in healthcare: improving healthcare and keeping it accessible. Together with Utrecht University, we are working holistically on AI innovations in AI Labs. AI Labs give the right people from research and practice the opportunity to meet and collaborate. This ensures that researchers can focus on issues that really matter. It adds real value and can make a difference for the patient. The Utrecht AI Event took place in November 2024 plaats.
Improving cancer treatment
In the UMC Utrecht Bachelor Research Hub , a group of 20 Bachelor students in Biomedical Sciences worked for 10 weeks on a research question from the biotechnology company Genmab. The aim was to study new opportunities for cancer treatment. Based on this new knowledge, Genmab will be able to improve immunotherapy treatment for cancer. In immunotherapy, medication enhances the effect of the immune system so that the latter can effectively recognize, destroy, and eliminate of cancer cells. This new public-private partnership concept ensures collaboration between research, education, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. The students developed their academic and research skills and got a peek into the engine house of a company. The Bachelor students presented their findings in February 2024.
Scientific knowledge improves practice and vice versa
In 2024, together with 4 regional general-practitioner organizations, 6 neighborhood-nursing providers, and 3 educational institutions (2 MBOs and 1 HBO), we worked on the further development of the Academic Workplace for General Practice Care (Academische Werkplaats Huisartsenzorg) and the Academic Workplace for Neighborhood Nursing (Academische Werkplaats Wijkverpleging). In these Academic Workplaces (Academische Werkplaatsen), we link our scientific knowledge to practice-based knowledge. Innovations are devised and tested here, and improved where necessary to make general practice and neighborhood nursing ready for the future. In this way, we improve general-practice care and home care (neighborhood nursing) in the region. Both Academic Workplaces collaborate closely with other Academic Workplaces in the Netherlands.
Adjustments in Overvecht with positive impacts for health
In 2024, we finalized the IGLO Utrecht project. IGLO Utrecht stands for ‘Iedereen een Gezonde Leefomgeving in Utrecht’’(“a healthy habitat for everyone in Utrecht’). In this project, we looked at the Overvecht neighborhood to see how specific actions are improving people’s health. For example renovating social rental flats (‘social renovation’) and linking Gagelbos to the neighborhood. The project gave us important information. For example on the short- and long-term effects of social renovation and the importance of looking at the system as a whole when assessing changes. In other words, the different components of the situation, and how these are linked and mutually affect each other. From the start we also worked together with inhabitants, the municipality, and other parties. This collaboration helped us to identify small but significant impacts for health that we might otherwise have overlooked. In the project (a component of the ZonMw program ‘Maak ruimte voor Gezondheid’ or ‘make room for health’), we worked with professionals from Utrecht municipality and Utrecht University, inhabitants, Utrecht municipality, the province of Utrecht, and social partners (such as STUW , Staatsbosbeheer , Posad Maxwan , and Dock ).
Focus on heart health for women with FC Utrecht
More than 18,000 women die from cardiovascular disease each year. Yet, cardiovascular disease in women still receives insufficient attention, and research on the topic is lagging behind. In 2024, UMC Utrecht and FC Utrecht pooled forces for the third time for 'Draag die Band' (‘wear the band’) – a campaign for heart health, this time with an extra emphasis on women. Together we are acting – each with our specific knowledge and background – in the Utrecht region (Utrecht, Heart of Health) to ensure a healthy body and a healthy future for everyone. Through our collaboration we are reaching a wide target group with this important message and can increase awareness around heart health for women.
Watch the campaign video: https://youtu.be/0T5fBnIZa14
Students well prepared to improve care together
The Medical faculty of Utrecht University is part of UMC Utrecht. Together with Utrecht University, we are preparing our students for practice in the best possible way. This means that they must be able to work together with other professional groups to improve healthcare. We achieve this through inter-professional education. Here, students from two or more professional groups learn from, with, and about each other. In 2024 we gained experience in various projects by setting up inter-professional education in practice. Students will thus have an active role in actual everyday practice as part of an inter-professional student team. The ultimate preparation for their task as professionals. To do this, we work together with other faculties of Utrecht University, Hogeschool Utrecht, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (art school) in Utrecht, and the EWUU alliance .
Best learning company in the region
UMC Utrecht has been singled out by ROC Midden Nederland (regional educational center for the Middle-Netherlands) as the best vocational training company of 2024 for the MBO (technical training) programs for Nursing, Laboratory Technician, and Doctor’s Assistant. An important reason for this achievement is the close cooperation between UMC Utrecht and ROC Midden Nederland. In addition, UMC Utrecht offers students optimal support in their learning process, we pay sincere attention to the student, and effectively ensure that there is a link between theory and practice. Despite a shortage on the labor market, we succeeded in 2024 to train 245 nurses in various MBO and HBO programs, in close collaboration with the training supervisors of our various departments and divisions.
UMC Utrecht wins the award for best learning company of the year
