175 years of the Würzburg University Children's Hospital: A look into history!

175 years of the Würzburg University Children's Hospital: A look into history!

Today, November 1st, 2025, the Würzburg University Children's Hospital is celebrating a very special birthday: 175 years have passed since it was opened as the first independent university children's hospital in the world. The clinic has since developed into a central pillar in pediatrics and looks back on an eventful history. The clinic was opened in 1850 under the direction of Franz von Rinecker, an important pioneer in pediatrics who tirelessly advocated for the medical care of children Mainfranken News reported.

The roots of this development can be traced back to the 18th century, when the understanding of children as independent beings gradually changed. The entry into force of the royal decree of 1841 was a decisive step: it called for the introduction of lectures on childhood diseases and the creation of a children's clinic. Franz von Rinecker, who received the first professorship in pediatrics in 1844, played a key role in this development. Lectures on this began in the winter semester of 1818/1819 under Johann Lucas Schönlein.

The milestones in the history of the clinic

The clinic has experienced many changes over the years. In 1854 the children's clinic was moved to the main building of the Juliusspital, and in 1872 pediatrics was finally transferred to its own department. Von Rinecker, whose work radiated far beyond his time, also had successors such as Carl Gerhardt and Jussuf Ibrahim, who also contributed to the further development of the clinic. Ibrahim became the first associate professor in 1915, and in the post-war period, Helmut Bartels and Christian P. Speer, alongside Helmut Bartels and Christian P. Speer, were instrumental in ensuring that the clinic became a leading center for pediatric research and teaching.

The clinic has always been committed to providing the best possible care for children. After the Second World War, Josef Ströder organized the reconstruction and continued to expand the clinic. An intensive care unit for premature and newborn babies was set up under Speer. The clinic is currently run by Prof. Dr. Christoph Härtel, whose research focus includes the development of extremely premature children and neuropediatrics.

The anniversary and the future challenges

A panel discussion is planned for November 5th to celebrate the clinic's 175th birthday. It will focus on important topics in child and adolescent medicine, such as prevention in childhood and the concept of future-proof care in child and adolescent medicine, especially in light of hospital reforms.

The traditional University Children's Clinic in Würzburg is not only an important place for medical training, but also a symbol of the ongoing progress in pediatrics, which Franz von Rinecker began 175 years ago with a vision that continues to this day in the work of all specialists and their commitment. This development allows the clinics to not only look ahead to the challenges of the present, but also to those of the future - a prospect that is of great interest to everyone involved and will stimulate activities and discussions around child and adolescent medicine, as well Wikipedia holds on.