Maastricht is located in a region which has experienced a rather successful
development of cross-border health care. Not surprisingly, the azM plays a
leading role in the field of transnational patient mobility in
Europe.
Collaboration with University Hospital Aachen
Cooperation with third parties is a key element of the azM strategy for
improvement. In the past years, azM has made specific progress in the area
of cooperation with Maastricht University and the University Hospital
Aachen.
The azM works together with the University clinic Aachen in the field of
top clinical patient care as well as research and education. By
joining expertise, skills and resources, Aachen and Maastricht want
to initiate leading institutions of world fame, in growth sectors such as
medical technology for life sciences.
Cooperation in the field of cardiovascular surgery is currently most
advanced. The aim of this kind of cooperation is to establish a European
Center of Reference for Cardiovascular Disease.
Particle Therapy Center
The University Hospital azM and the University Hospital Aachen are
preparing the establishment of a multinational Particle Therapy Center
providing state-of-the-art radiation services for cancer treatments. Two
new non-invasive ion treatments, Proton Therapy and Carbon Ion Therapy,
improve the efficacy of radiation.
The mission of this Particle Therapy Center is to become a European Center
of reference for patient care, research and training in ion therapy.
Education
The azM research program is closely synchronized with the medical faculties
of Maastricht University and Aachen University. This collaboration enhances
the rapid introduction of new methods of treatment.
In 2007 Maastricht University and Aachen University started a rotation
program for medical scientists. This intense cooperation will hopefully
lead to a ‘critical mass’ for top performances in research and teaching.
Furthermore, it should attract scientists of national and international
stature and facilitate the acquisition of EU-funds or other third party
funds.