Photo: President of the Bürgerschaft Prof Madeleine Tolani, Rubenow Prize winner Prof Kroemer and Lord Mayor Dr Fassbinder. ©André Gschweng
Berlin, 15.05.2025
Prof Heyo K. Kroemer, Chairman of the Board of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, has received the Rubenow Medal for his services as former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Greifswald. The highest honour of the university and Hanseatic city was presented to the pharmacologist personally by the Lord Mayor yesterday as part of the ceremonial city reception.
Prof Kroemer was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Greifswald from 2000 to 2012 and has also been Scientific Director of Greifswald University Medicine since 2011. Lord Mayor Dr Stefan Fassbinder emphasised on the occasion of the medal presentation: ‘During his time in office, Prof Heyo Kroemer made a decisive contribution to not only maintaining university medicine in Greifswald, but also making it fit for the future.’ He added: “Under his leadership, Greifswald University Medicine established itself as a beacon in research, science, training, care, diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to his commitment, the city was able to further expand its position as an outstanding science and healthcare centre and gain international recognition.”
Among other things, Prof Kroemer’s initiative led to the transfer of the hospital to a public corporation, enabling Greifswald to retain its ‘city hospital’ with university medicine. He also successfully campaigned for the construction of a modern new hospital building. In addition, Prof. Kroemer played a leading role in the acquisition of major research projects, such as the Centre for Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Experimental Therapy (C_DAT), the GANI_MED project for individualised medicine and the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), thereby strengthening Greifswald as a scientific location.
Prof Kroemer expressed his gratitude for the award: “I joined the University of Greifswald’s Department of Medicine in 1998 – initially as Professor of General Pharmacology, before becoming Dean in 2000. Together with colleagues, the university management and political support, we were able to achieve a lot here – it was a busy and extremely exciting, but above all very constructive time. The initiatives of that time are being developed very successfully by those currently in charge, and Greifswald University Medicine is at a very good level in terms of content and infrastructure. Privately, my wife and I have always felt very comfortable in Greifswald. We have close contacts and I am very happy to support Greifswald University Medicine whenever I can.”
Rubenow Medal
The Rubenow Medal is Greifswald’s highest honour and is awarded to one or more personalities who have helped the city to achieve considerable renown through their high level of personal commitment. It is named after the former mayor and founder of the University of Greifswald in the 15th century, Dr Heinrich Rubenow. Since 2004, the Lord Mayor has hosted a town reception on 14 May, the day the town was founded in 1250. People who have made a special contribution to other people or the city are honoured with the Rubenow Medal, the Silver Griffin or an entry in the city’s Book of Honour.