Mieneke te Hennepe appointed professor by special appointment of Medical History

Prof. Mieneke te Hennepe has been appointed professor by special appointment of Medical History. She focuses on the question of how medical heritage can be meaningful to students, patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public.

In her teaching and research, she looks at the significance of historical medical objects. The medical collections of the LUMC and Rijksmuseum Boerhaave contain many unknown personal stories about illness and health. These stories are valuable for research, education, and exhibitions. Examples include the makers and users of unique instruments and innovations, patients’ experiences, or changes in the relationship between doctor and patient. How can medical history and a museum learning environment help prepare students for a career in healthcare?

Mieneke: “I want to strengthen the collaboration between the LUMC, Leiden University, Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, and other medical history collections. It is important to use the power of historical objects and stories in (bio)medical education, but also for the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals, for research, and to engage the public. That is why I want to develop projects about learning with objects, about the role of patients and their stories in medical history, and about how medical museum collections and history can help to understand medical practices and identity formation.

Source text: LinkedIn page LUMC