Karolinska University Hospital appoints a new Director of Research, Education and Development

In close collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, the Research, Education and Development staff is driving the hospital's development towards the healthcare of the future.

"Creating synergy in research, education, and development between Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute, two large organizations with different governing bodies, is a major challenge. It's about addressing issues at the right level within the organizations and allowing great freedom under responsibility to those conducting the research and education. Research must be free to achieve results," says Olof Akre.

Olof Akre will start his new position on April 22. He looks forward to getting out and meeting the operations.

"It's easy to have a view that's shaped by one's own reality. But it may not be true in every corner of the organization. I'm very curious about that," says Olof Akre.

The new director emphasizes the importance of creating an infrastructure that facilitates research. This requires the involvement of the entire organization, all the way to the consultation rooms and departments.

"Part of the university hospital's mission is not just to provide care according to guidelines. We are also to develop care and offer the very latest treatment within the framework of studies," he says.

In his new role, Olof Akre will be part of the management council and report to the hospital director.

The acting hospital director, Patrik Rossi, has highlighted research and collaboration with the Karolinska Institute as a crucial part of the hospital's future.

"We aim to be one of the world's smartest hospitals. To provide each individual patient with the best possible care, we must integrate research and healthcare. Olof Akre will be a key person in this work, and he is the right person to lead Research, Education and Development," says Patrik Rossi.