Is it possible that the best hospital in the Netherlands is located right here? That’s according to Newsweek in 2022. This is Amsterdam UMC locatie VUmc. It is one of the city’s two University Medical Centers.
Amsterdam UMC locatie VUmc has a rich history. It officially became a university medical center in 2001. This happened when it merged with the medical faculty of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before that in 1964 it was known as the Academic Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit.
Interestingly the Vrouwen VU-hulp charity played a crucial role. This charity started in 1932. Its initial goal was to support the Vrije Universiteit. They famously collected money using green tins. These tins displayed the likeness of Abraham Kuyper. They distributed them to families of the Reformed Churches.
After World War II the charity focused on raising funds for a medical school. It took about seven years to gather enough money. The government covered 85 percent of the cost. This gave rise to the idea that VUmc was funded by ordinary people.
Amsterdam UMC merged administratively in 2018. It formed from the Academic Medical Center and VU University Medical Center. Both medical centers now operate as Amsterdam UMC location AMC and Amsterdam UMC location VUmc. On January 1 2024 the two hospitals completed a legal merger.
Here at Amsterdam UMC location VUmc departments of Oncology Neurology and Public Health are concentrated. This strategic focus ensures specialized care. It also promotes advancement in these crucial areas.
Notably Amsterdam UMC is known for its research. Medical research here dates back to Dr Nicoleas Tulp. He was the University of Amsterdam’s first anatomist. Rembrandt captured his work in the painting The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp.
Amsterdam UMC contributed to over 22000 scientific publications between 2015 and 2018. This is more than any other university medical center in the Netherlands. It is second highest in Europe behind University College London.
Amsterdam UMC’s medical faculties consistently rank in the world’s top 100 medical schools. They are ranked by both the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS Rankings.
Amsterdam UMC location VUmc is also known for its Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria. It opened in 1972. It is one of the world’s largest and oldest centers. It has treated over 10000 transgender patients in the last 50 years. The center is the home of the Dutch Protocol.
Amsterdam UMC hosts its own yearly Anatomy Lesson in the Concertgebouw. It is called de Anatomische Les in Dutch. This combines a medical anatomy lesson. It also has a live cultural program. Previous speakers include Anthony Fauci David Page and John Ioannidis.
Many notable individuals have been associated with Amsterdam UMC. Christiaan Eijkman won the Nobel Prize in 1929. He discovered vitamins. Sir Alex Jeffreys invented DNA fingerprinting. Others include astronaut André Kuipers and former Dutch Health Minister Els Borst. Amsterdam UMC continues to be a center for medical innovation. It excels in patient care research and education.