Three years of GMF – what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Stefan Boes: Above all, gratitude and pride. Gratitude for the people who bring this faculty to life: students, staff, lecturers, researchers, and our partner institutions. And pride in what we have achieved as a young faculty in a very short period.

Looking back at the founding phase, what surprised you most? 

The biggest surprise was how quickly an idea can turn into a functioning day-to-day faculty operation when many smart minds pitch in at the same time. Over the past six to seven years, we have roughly tripled the number of professorships and newly enrolled students. This is a strong signal that we have not only grown but have also become better and more attractive.

What vision is guiding the further development of the faculty – today and in the coming years?

We defined our vision in our mission statement, deliberately simple and at the same time ambitious: to promote the health, functional ability, and well-being of individuals and communities. This is more than a medical objective for us. It is a societal mandate. Functional ability means participation in family life, in work, and in the community. This is exactly our approach: interdisciplinary and practice-oriented, and with a clear view toward the healthcare system of tomorrow.

And how do you translate this vision into the faculty’s daily work?

We aim to promote forward-looking research that crosses disciplinary boundaries and is visible internationally. This also includes attracting outstanding researchers and strategically strengthening the faculty through new professorships and projects.

Research-based, practice-oriented, and high-quality teaching, as well as the promotion of early-career researchers, are also key priorities. We want to give young researchers space to grow through mentoring, exchange, structured qualification pathways, and genuine career prospects.

These elements go hand in hand with creating and strengthening a culture that enables critical thinking and open dialogue, including with policymakers and practitioners.