Ex vivo kidney perfusion has been around for decades, but it really took off approximately 10 years ago, when we found out that pumping a donor kidney at 0-10 degrees Celsius actually leads to better post-transplant outcomes compared to static cold storage. Since then, much research has been directed at increasing perfusion temperature to 37 degrees Celsius, thus allowing more metabolism and perhaps also a genuine “test drive” of the organ prior to transplantation, to better assess its viability, and provide a platform for biological interventions to resuscitate and repair the organ. However, lately, a small group of seemingly crazy surgeon-scientists have proposed to start pumping donor kidneys at sub-zero temperatures. “Just because we can”, is what they said. But could it also have an advantage? You’ll find out in this IMED-talk!

Cyril Moers MD PhD is a transplant surgeon and associate professor in the UMCG. His research covers a whole spectrum of clinical and pre-clinical studies in kidney transplantation, focusing on interventions before or during organ preservation to better conserve organ quality and to quantify the impact that donor characteristics have on post-transplant outcome. He authored several key publications on this topic, two of which appeared in “The New England Journal of Medicine”. His line of research now focuses on pre-transplant organ resuscitation and evaluation, for which he has been awarded various national and international research grants.

Anaesthetic agents not only induce anaesthesia at the level of the central nervous system but affect many cells and systems in our body. Some of these so-called pleiotropic effects might be beneficial in the process of organ donation, preservation and transplantation. At least, that is shown in in vitro and animal models where anaesthetic agents can reduce ischemia reperfusion injury, a type of injury inevitable in organ transplantation. Whether this also applies to transplant patients with various comorbidities and interacting medications remains to be seen, but we may soon have an answer to this question. Or… should we avoid this interaction with the patient and administer these drugs directly to the organ when it’s on the preservation machine… Join this IMED Talk to explore the intriguing potential of anaesthetic agents in organ transplantation!

Gertrude Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke is an anaesthesiologist, assistant professor and head of research at the Department of Anaesthesiology at the UMCG. Her research focuses on perioperative organ damage and inflammation, with the aim of better understanding the underlying pathophysiology and consequences. She seeks interventions to modulate these phenomena and leverages technological innovations to measure, predict, and prevent organ damage and the subsequent postoperative complications.

Gertrude is the chair of the subcommittee on innovation within the science and innovation committee of the Dutch Society of Anesthesiology, a member of the science and innovation council of the Federation of Medical Specialists, Chair of the Fit4Surgery scientific working group, and an editorial board member of the British Journal of Anaesthesia Education. She is a member of various (inter)national scientific committees and consortia and is involved in several multicenter and multidisciplinary research projects. She has received grants for research on acute kidney injury, kidney transplantation, machine preservation of lungs and kidneys, and innovation projects, and she supervises multiple PhD candidates.

Healthcare worldwide faces multiple interconnected challenges. Rising healthcare costs, epidemiological challenges and growing health inequality are putting pressure on healthcare systems, organisations, and professionals. These challenges force us to rethink the organisation and provision of healthcare. As the World Health Organisation (WHO) already mentioned a long time ago, most systems are slow to adapt to the changing needs of the population. In adapting the system, population health, patient experience and costs are still the main focus combined with the growing concern regarding clinician wellbeing, equity and environmental sustainability.

Given the urgency of problems, change needs to speed up to create new, yet unknown, health care practices as an answer to the challenges. Question is what this means for current health care professionals and, moreover, for future healthcare professionals. We educate our students with today’s knowledge in yesterday’s practice for tomorrow’s care.

In her lecture Prof. Schuurmans will discuss the challenges, the developments and the meaning of these for current and future healthcare professionals. She will emphasise on the need for clinical leadership and the role of professionals as change agents.

Prof. Marieke Schuurmans is vice dean of Education and Training at the University Medical Center Groningen. She is responsible for the academic programs for medicine, dentistry, sport- and movement sciences, as well as for the post initial training programs for physicians and nurses. Trained as a healthcare scientist and nurse she has a longstanding career in health care, she was member of the Dutch Healthcare Council, Chief Healthcare Organization of the Dutch Healthcare Authority and member of numerous advisory boards regarding the future of healthcare.

Are you tired of feeling like you’re merely surviving your medical or biomedical studies—jumping from one exam to the next? Do you often hear nostalgic voices romanticising the “good old days,” when students were open to making “real” sacrifices? These frustrations point to a deeper need for change in how we conceptualise and deliver education—particularly when students are left in a passive state rather than encouraged to enact their autonomy.

In this lecture, Prof. de Carvalho Filho will explore the urgent call to transform the culture of health professions education. He will challenge outdated thinking, highlight the pitfalls of “nostalgic” or “weaponised” professionalism, and reveal how hidden curricula can limit both learners and educators. Drawing on the influential work of Paulo Freire and Dutch scholar Gert Biesta, he will show how redefining the core purpose of education can empower students to become genuine change agents. He will also discuss the risks of emotional detachment and why it takes real courage to challenge entrenched norms. Join us to discover a fresh vision for education—one that not only tackles the frustrations many students face today, but also cultivates the structures necessary for authentic engagement. This approach paves the way for learners to exercise greater autonomy and equips all of us to meet tomorrow’s rapidly evolving healthcare challenges head-on.

Prof. Marco Antonio de Carvalho Filho spent over 20 years working as an internal medicine specialist and clinical teacher across wards, ICUs, and emergency departments. Over time, his passion for innovative learning methodologies led him to focus on medical education research, drawing inspiration from Critical Pedagogy and the Theatre of the Oppressed. He now dedicates his career to designing and implementing pioneering approaches in online learning, simulation, and assessment. Marco’s research centers on professional identity development, clinical reasoning, and the role of the arts in health professions education. He is also active in faculty development, helping educators foster learner-centered communities of practice.

AI is rapidly transforming the field of radiology, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance precision and efficiency in healthcare. By developing and implementing advanced AI algorithms, radiologists can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in the detection and monitoring of abdominal diseases such as liver conditions, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. AI-driven innovations, like K-space undersampling techniques, enable faster MRI scans, making imaging more accessible and patient-friendly. Additionally, AI can streamline workflows, eliminate redundancies, and reduce waste, contributing to more sustainable and efficient practices.

With these advancements, however, come critical responsibilities. Ensuring that AI systems
are transparent, trustworthy, and equitable is essential. This involves integrating patient perspectives, addressing ethical and legal implications, and fostering fairness in the deployment of these technologies.

Radiologists must take the lead in shaping the future of their profession by embracing curiosity, innovation, and collaboration. If the field hesitates to define its own path, others will step in to do so. The time to act is now—will radiologists “eat” by driving progress, or be “eaten” by external forces shaping their future?

Derya Yakar is the Chair of the Department of Radiology at the UMCG. She completed her PhD in prostate MRI and radiology residency at Radboudumc, followed by an ESOR (European School of Radiology) fellowship at MSKCC (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) in New York. Specialised in abdominal and AI-supported radiology, Dr. Yakar has secured grants from esteemed organisations such as Health Holland, NWO, and the Hanarth Fund. She serves on the scientific advisory boards of the ICAI (Innovation Center for AI) Lab, the ELSA (Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects) Lab AI Health Equity, the EIBIR (European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research), and the Hanarth Fund. Her work focuses on advancing diagnostic accuracy, automating workflows, and fostering equitable healthcare. Additionally, she is dedicated to education, leadership development, and promoting gender equity in academia through mentorship and sponsorship initiatives.

The UMCG is at the forefront of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to address some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare, including unhealthy life years, persistent health inequalities, and workforce pressures. As a leader in the EU-accredited Active & Healthy Ageing region, UMCG integrates AI across its core tasks (research, education, care, and innovation) to shape a sustainable future of health.

Generative AI, embedded securely within UMCG’s systems, exemplifies how technology can transform healthcare. We identify different value streams of AI: for discovery, efficiency, precision, and augmentation. From summarising patient records to streamlining administrative processes and augmenting clinical decision-making, AI tools have demonstrated significant improvements in efficiency and accuracy. However, with these advancements comes the responsibility to address equity concerns, ensuring that AI reduces, rather than exacerbates, existing disparities in care. This is not only true for the world at large, but also in our region, the Northern Netherlands. UMCG is committed to using AI as a force for equitable health outcomes.

We envision a healthcare system where technology supports healthier ageing, enables healthcare workers to focus on high-value care, and reduces the sector’s environmental footprint. This transformative vision not only sustains the quality of care but also ensures that innovation serves all, leaving no patient or professional behind.

Bart Scheerder MBA is affiliated with the UMCG Innovation Center and the Data Science Center in Health (DASH), where he focuses on driving AI healthcare innovation. He has a background in clinical research at an academic contract research organization affiliated with the UMCG, working across Europe in various therapeutic areas and various sponsors. Bart also serves as president of the Dutch Clinical Research Foundation.

Currently, he works as an AI Strategy Lead and is dedicated to advancing AI innovation to shape the future of healthcare. He is responsible for developing the overarching AI strategy for the organization, ensuring that artificial intelligence and data-driven solutions are seamlessly integrated into research, clinical practice, and healthcare delivery. His work focuses on bridging UMCG’s pioneering research with external innovations, fostering public-private partnerships that drive sustainable, technology-enabled healthcare solutions.

A key challenge he addresses is the looming healthcare workforce shortage, leveraging AI to alleviate administrative burdens and enhance efficiency in clinical practice. Through initiatives such as #NoMoreTyping (#NooitMeerTikken), he supports the implementation of AI-driven tools that streamline documentation, enabling healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. His strategic vision aims to position UMCG at the forefront of AI-driven transformation, ensuring that technology enhances both operational efficiency and patient outcomes.