On 21 November 2025, the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) will gather at Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) for its Members’ Assembly. The meeting also marks the conclusion of AUH’s presidency and the handover to Helsinki University Hospital. We have met AUH’s CEO, Thomas Balle Kristensen, for a talk about the importance of EUHA, AUH’s presidency and the two priority themes: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and “leading wise choices in healthcare”.
Thomas Balle Kristensen, CEO of Aarhus University Hospital, and EUHA President for the second term of 2025. ©Foto: Tonny Foghmar
Why is EUHA important in a European healthcare context?
All European countries face, to a greater or lesser extent, the same fundamental challenges: an ageing population, more patients with complex pathways, and increasing pressure on healthcare resources. At the same time, new treatment options are continuously being developed. Many of them benefit patients greatly, but they also require resources.
In this light, EUHA is more important than ever. The alliance brings together some of the strongest university hospitals in Europe and when we stand together, we can inspire each other professionally, collaborate on concrete initiatives, and speak with a strong voice in the European health debate.
The collaboration is also about providing clear advice for the societies we serve and for all Europe’s health care systems. When we stand together as 11 of Europe’s university hospitals, we can create critical mass and offer credible proposals for how important challenges can be addressed. This allows us to put key issues on the agenda and help shape the framework for the healthcare system of the future in Europe, for the benefit of both health systems and therefore our patients. We cannot achieve that on our own.
When we stand together as 11 of Europe’s university hospitals, we can create critical mass and offer credible proposals for how important challenges can be addressed. This allows us to put key issues on the agenda and help shape the framework for the healthcare system of the future in Europe, for the benefit of both health systems and therefore our patients. Thomas Balle Kristensen
When we stand together as 11 of Europe’s university hospitals, we can create critical mass and offer credible proposals for how important challenges can be addressed. This allows us to put key issues on the agenda and help shape the framework for the healthcare system of the future in Europe, for the benefit of both health systems and therefore our patients.
Thomas Balle Kristensen
What has been your focus during your presidency?
We have focused particularly on two areas that both align well with EUHA’s framework of ‘rethinking healthcare systems.’
Firstly, we have focused on antimicrobial resistance, which is one of the major health challenges we face – both in Europe and globally. We already see infections today that are more difficult to treat because bacteria survive the antibiotics we normally use. The World Health Organization warns of rising resistance, and a future where standard treatments do not always work, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.
To counter the threat of antimicrobial resistance, we need a strengthened and collective European effort. As university hospitals, we are a central part of the solution. We are the ones who research, develop and treat and therefore we also have a responsibility to lead the way.
Another key focus area has been “leading wise choices in value-based healthcare“. It is about identifying how we, as hospitals, can do less of what provides the least value for patients – in order to focus resources and efforts to high-value health care. This requires us to question our own habits and practices, and to speak openly with each other as experts and professionals. How do we know what creates value? And if we know it – how do we stop doing what does not?
Historically, university hospitals have been the ones who develop new treatments and practices – and to define regimes in diagnostics, treatment and follow-up – all elements of patient pathways. Now it is also our role and responsibility to help form the basis for ‘wise choices’ – to create the clinical and evidence-based foundation that enables us to choose and deselect where the value is lowest. Always, of course, with regard to – and whenever possible together with – the patients we are here for. In Europe, healthcare services are part of our welfare systems, and our healthcare systems all are characterised by relatively high levels of equality in access for all citizens. This obliges us to use resources wisely, so that the systems can remain sustainable.
What do we as university hospitals have in common?
Despite representing different countries and different healthcare systems, what unites us in EUHA are similarities as large, academic hospitals – and a strong and shared commitment to collaboration at all levels as a driving force in developing sustainable, high-quality health care in the future.
We are all deeply rooted in research, education, and innovation, and this gives us a distinct and important role in our healthcare systems. Together, we possess tremendous strength when it comes to generating new knowledge, testing new methods, and translating innovation into better treatment for our patients. With this strength comes a responsibility to look ahead and find the way forward.
With this scientific and professional weight we must drive change – while also safeguarding something as fundamental as health and equal access to treatment for all citizens – a vital part of Europe’s healthcare models.
Together, we possess tremendous strength when it comes to generating new knowledge, testing new methods, and translating innovation into better treatment for our patients. With this strength comes a responsibility to look ahead and find the way forward. Thomas Balle Kristensen
Together, we possess tremendous strength when it comes to generating new knowledge, testing new methods, and translating innovation into better treatment for our patients. With this strength comes a responsibility to look ahead and find the way forward.
Editor: Jens Hjalte Madsen Løgstrup (Aarhus University Hospital)