© Helmut Hummler
We are thrilled to announce that Professor Helmut Hummler will join EFCNI as our new Senior Medical Director in September 2024. Professor Hummler brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to neonatal care, making him an invaluable addition to our team and mission. He takes over from our current Senior Medical Director, Professor Luc Zimmermann, who will retire at the end of the year.
Professor Hummler’s medical career began with his graduation from the University of Tübingen’s medical school in 1986. His passion for paediatrics and neonatology led him to the United States, where he trained under the renowned Dr. Eduardo Bancalari at the Jackson Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami, from 1992 to 1995. This period was instrumental in shaping his expertise in neonatal medicine.
Upon returning to Germany in 1996, Professor Hummler joined the Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital, University of Ulm. His leadership skills and dedication quickly earned him the position of Division Chief by 2005. His academic journey continued to flourish as he completed his M.B.A. and was appointed Professor of Pediatrics in 2006. Two years later, he became Vice-Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ulm.
In 2017, Professor Hummler expanded his horizons internationally by joining Sidra Medicine in Doha, Qatar, as Chief of the Division of Neonatology. His innovative approach introduced family-centred care as a standard practice in Qatar, significantly enhancing the quality of neonatal care in the country. Sidra Medicine opened in 2018 and now ranks among the world’s top 250 academic medical centres. He also served as Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, furthering his impact on medical education and practice.
Professor Hummler’s return to Germany in 2021 marked another significant chapter in his career. He took on the role of Chief of the Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care at the University of Marburg in 2023.
Throughout his career, Professor Hummler has made substantial contributions to neonatal research, particularly in the areas of neonatal lung injury, mechanical ventilation, the effects of hypoxemic episodes in very low birth weight infants and quality of neonatal care. He has been pivotal in developing ventilator modes, such as an automated device for closed-loop FiO2 control and has actively participated in numerous international clinical trials. His prolific contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, editorials, and book chapters.
Professor Hummler’s dedication to quality care and family-centred approaches has earned him numerous accolades, including the Scientific Award of the German Society of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care and several Top Physician awards in Germany. His international recognition includes the Chief Executive Recognition Award from Sidra Medicine in 2018.
A fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Society of Pediatric Research and the European Society of Pediatric Research, Professor Hummler is a respected voice in the global paediatric community. He has been an invited speaker at over 150 national and international conferences, sharing his expertise and advocating for excellence in neonatal care.
We are excited to welcome Professor Hummler to EFCNI, where his vision and expertise will undoubtedly propel our mission forward, enhancing the care and support we provide to preterm and hospitalised infants and their families.
