Summer greeting from Rikke Leth-Larsen

Dear KI and colleagues

Summer is upon us, and for many, it means a well-deserved holiday. It’s also a great opportunity to send you warm greetings and a brief overview of what’s happening at the Department of Clinical Research – both recent developments and what lies ahead.

As Head of Department, I’ve gained valuable insight into the tasks, opportunities, and challenges faced by research leaders in the individual research units. I’ve met with most department management teams and regularly participate in local research meetings where I’m invited. This gives me the chance to meet more of you and gain an even better understanding of your work – thank you for that.

We are well underway with a new research strategy for KI/OUH 2026–30. It is taking shape in close collaboration with many of you and with input from our partners. The strategy will align with the 2024 Health Reform, build on the current OUH/KI strategy, and reflect both the Region of Southern Denmark’s and SUND/SDU’s research strategies. The strategy will take effect in spring 2026, and we invite research leaders and department management to a seminar on March 12–13, 2026, where we will work together on its implementation.

We look forward to the merge between OUH and parts of the region’s psychiatric hospital from January 1, 2026. We are already taking the first steps toward a successful integration and a strengthened collaboration between somatic and psychiatric care. I encourage everyone to consider new research collaborations.

We continue to strengthen KI’s organization to ensure a strong presence locally, nationally, and internationally. The department leadership will be expanded with a new Deputy Head of Department focusing on research and innovation. I’m pleased to welcome Clinical Professor and Physician Malene Grubbe Hildebrandt to the leadership team starting September 1. Troels Mygind Jensen will join as a research advisor at the Department of Clinical Research on July 1. He is employed at the Southern Denmark Research Support and, together with the rest of the support team, will assist you with research applications in the pre-award phase.

The Department Council and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee are also well established and active – feel free to contact them with ideas and input.

The administrative team at OUH and KI/SUND has worked diligently to create a data-driven overview of our staff and functions – we’re nearly there. This provides a solid foundation for discussions on strategy, bibliometrics, career paths, teaching, funding, recruitment, and more.

Much more is happening than I can mention here. Many seeds are being planted, and others are blooming – thank you to everyone who has contributed, including Kirsten Kyvik and Kim Brixen, who have both left a significant mark on the Department of Clinical Research.

Thank you to all the educators. You do an incredible job educating and inspiring our students and are important ambassadors for both SDU and OUH/Psychiatry. The faculty will soon launch two new programs – Dentistry and Dental Hygiene – and political decisions regarding changes to the Master’s programs will also impact KI in the near future.

All of this is happening through a strong and respectful collaboration between two large organizations. It’s working well, even though you may sometimes feel that things take too long or that the obstacles are unnecessarily large. Many of us are constantly working to improve in line with needs and external demands.

We try to consolidate information in our NEWS to avoid too many emails – I hope you’re reading along. Communication is a balancing act, so please help us get better.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer – and thank you for your dedication and commitment.

Warm regards,

Rikke, Head of department