Nicolai J. W. Albrechtsen new Head of Department

What made you apply for the position?

“I applied for the position because IKM​ is where the university's ambitions meet the realities of the healthcare system. I want to strengthen the bridge-building to the Region of Eastern Denmark, the hospitals, and the primary care sector – and make IKM more visible as a unifying and societally relevant actor in relation to our healthcare system."

If you were to choose three areas to focus on as Head of Department at IKM, what would they be?

“If I were to choose three focus areas as Head of Department, they would be:

1. Coherence and a clear direction in a large, decentralized organization. This is important for IKM because the department spans many sites, medical specialties, and employment conditions, and a shared direction is crucial for ensuring that priorities feel meaningful and can be implemented locally.
2. Quality in clinical education and research – and stronger innovation that translates knowledge into improved practice. IKM already holds a high standard within clinical education and research, and innovation can play an even greater role by systematically bringing new knowledge into use more quickly, to the benefit of patients, the healthcare system, and society.
3. Visibility and partnerships across UCPH, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and the healthcare sector. Cross-sector collaboration makes us better, because the best solutions arise through joint efforts between the university and the clinical world, and visibility is a prerequisite for attracting talent, resources, and strong collaborative partners."

​Nicolai sees opportunities and is ambitious on behalf of IKM. He thinks visionary thoughts and has deep knowledge of research, education, innovation, and hospital practice. And you simply cannot help but be in a good mood in Nicolai's company.

Nicolai J. W. Albrechtsen is a clinical professor and brings extensive experience from the healthcare system, most recently holding the position of Leading Chief Physician at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital.

​What challenges does the department face?

“The new Region of Eastern Denmark and the national healthcare reform are changing governance structures, financing, and interfaces for collaboration within the healthcare system. IKM must maintain high quality in education and research in an even more decentralised reality, with pressure on time and resources.

The challenge will be to set clear priorities, strengthen innovation, and ensure coherence across the organisation, so that we remain attractive to students, staff, and the healthcare system's partners."

Dean Bente Merete Stallknecht says:

"An important priority for me as Dean is to strengthen the bridge between the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the healthcare sector, both in the education of future physicians and other healthcare professionals, and in collaborations on translational research and innovation. This is a development to which Nicolai will make a strong contribution."