Beneath the veneer of the Charité, a tale of medical innovation unfolds. Right here we see the Otto Heubner Bust. This bust commemorates Johann Otto Leonhard Heubner. He was a German internist and pediatrician. He is regarded as one of the fathers of pediatric medicine.
Otto Heubner was born in 1843 and died in 1926. He left an indelible mark on the Charité. In 1894, Heubner became director of the children’s clinic and polyclinic at the Charité.
Hugo Lederer created the Otto Heubner Bust. The exact date of its creation is unknown. It was likely commissioned by his friends and students before Heubner left the Charité in 1913. The bust was initially inside the pediatric hospital. Later, it was moved outside.
Heubner’s work significantly improved infant mortality at the Charité. He introduced aseptic practices. With Max Rubner, he investigated energy metabolism in infants. They created the concept of a nutrition quotient. He also worked with Eduard Heinrich Henoch. Together, they were among the first to use diphtheria antitoxin. Emil von Behring developed this antitoxin.
Heubner made contributions to the research of cerebrospinal meningitis. He provided an early description of syphilitic endarteritis obliterans. This condition is sometimes called “Heubner’s disease”. “Heubner’s artery” is also named after him. It is a cerebral artery. It typically originates from the junction of the A1 and A2 segments. These segments are part of the anterior cerebral artery.
In 1905, Hugo Lederer created a 46 cm high bust of Heubner. H. Noack cast it in bronze. This bust served as the basis for the bust monument. The monument features a bronze head and a kunststein base. The front of the base has the inscription “HEUBNER” on the plinth.
In 1891, he was appointed to the chair of pediatrics. Heubner’s contributions extended beyond clinical work. He founded a children’s hospital and clinic in Leipzig.
Heubner’s appointment as the first chair of pediatrics at the Berlin University in 1894 underscored his importance. Simultaneously, he took over the direction of the children’s clinic of the Charité.
Heubner improved standards through staff training. He promoted the use of Behring’s diphtheria serum by testing it in his clinic.
The Otto Heubner Centrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin was founded in 1999. It is a care center for young children and adolescents. It is located at the University Hospital of the Charité-Berlin.
The Otto Heubner Bust stands as a reminder. It honors a pioneer. He advanced pediatric medicine. He improved countless lives. He left a lasting impact on the Charité and beyond. Heubner’s legacy continues to inspire medical professionals.