Dr. Bärbel Christiansen has been awarded the Hygieia Medal by the Rudolf Schülke Foundation for her lifetime achievements in the field of hygiene, particularly hospital hygiene and disinfection. The expert, recognized throughout Europe in the fields of hospital hygiene, environmental hygiene, and the testing and application of disinfectants, led the Institute for Hospital and Environmental Hygiene and its predecessor institutions at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) until 2023.
Prof. Dr. Martin Exner, Chairman of the Rudolf-Schülke-Foundation, emphasized in his laudation that Dr. Christiansen's leadership of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) was "a true masterpiece." She excelled especially in motivating the members in the creation of highly complex recommendations. The CEO of UKSH, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Jens Scholz, and the Medical Director, Dr. Carsten Hilbert, said regarding the honor: "We are very pleased for the recognition of our long-time colleague Dr. Christiansen and warmly congratulate her! This award recognizes her outstanding achievements beyond the UKSH and is well-deserved for Dr. Christiansen."
Until her retirement, Dr. Christiansen was responsible for maintaining and developing hygiene standards across both campuses of the UKSH as the head of the Central Facility for Internal Hospital Hygiene with her team. Additionally, she led the Central Facility for Medical Examination Office and Hygiene, which advises and serves not only the UKSH but also many other hospitals in the north, public authorities, and private clients.
Dr. Christiansen was a member for over 13 years and long-time chairwoman of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention at the RKI and has been on the board of the Association for Applied Hygiene (VAH) since 1988. Here, she has made significant contributions to hygiene in medical care, environmental hygiene, and the promotion of the field of hygiene and specialist medical training in Germany. She served as chairwoman of the KRINKO for many years.
The Rudolf Schülke Foundation awards the Hygieia Medal every two years to individuals who have dedicated their life's work to hygiene and microbiology and whose work has significantly contributed to developments in infection prevention and public health.
Prof. Martin Exner (Vorstandsvorsitzender) und Preisträgerin Dr. Bärbel Christiansen
Photo: Rudolf Schülke Stiftung
Responsible for the press release:
Oliver Grieve, Press Spokesperson
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein
Mobile: +49 173 4055 000
Email: Oliver.Grieve@uksh.de
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