The Future of Medicine - for 150 years

November 2016

The Pathology Institute at Heidelberg University Hospital, one of the leading institutes in Europe, celebrates its 150th anniversary.

In 1866, the first Chairman of Pathology position at Heidelberg University Hospital was established with the appointment of lecturer Dr. Julius Arnold. 150 years later, it is one of the leading institutes in Europe, and celebrated the anniversary in November with an academic ceremony. Professor Dr. Peter Schirmacher, Executive Director of the Institute, and other well-known national and international speakers presented current research objectives and bold views regarding the future of this specialty, which contributes significantly to diagnostics and research of human disease and thus, to treatment.

Especially in cases of a tumor diagnosis, specific and effective therapy is often based on a correct assessment of the disease type (typing), aggressiveness (grading), and extent (staging). Annually, 80,000 tissue samples are examined at the Pathology Institute at Heidelberg University Hospital. The Institute contributes significantly to clinical diagnosis and is important for research. The main emphases of the Institute are hepatic-gastro-enterologic pathology, tumor pathology, and immunopathology.