S5 - E1.1 - SurfingMASH Is Back! Jörn Schattenberg On Becoming Department Director At Saarlands

Send us Fan MailAfter a month off in January, SurfingMASH returns for the 2024 calendar year. In this conversation, Jörn Schattenberg describes the challenges, opportunities and experiences that he has found in assuming Department leadership  at the University of the Saarlandes. Jörn shares his early experiences and aspirations as the new chair of a department, emphasizing the joys and challenges of transitioning into this leadership role. He lists the department's strengths and identifies opportunities for growth based on his own prior experiences. Jörn provides specific focus on his aim of enhancing clinical trials and diagnostic capabilities within the department. He discusses the importance of building a clinical study team and ensuring that physicians have the support and time needed to engage in patient recruitment for clinical trials. Separately, Jörn highlights innovative patient navigation systems already in place at Saarlandes, like the pager system that enables patients to move from appointment to. appointment within the hospital seamlessly. He discusses his desire to streamline outpatient diagnostics and improve collaboration with the radiology department for advanced imaging techniques. Jörn's approach is patient-centric, focusing on better treatment options and diagnostics, and he has received positive feedback from colleagues. The conversation underscores the significance of leadership in driving clinical and administrative improvements, fostering a collaborative environment, and enhancing patient care through innovative practices and a focus on liver diseases.