The Year in Review at Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark – 2025

Region of Southern Denmark Celebrated the Power of Innovation

In April 2025, the annual Innovation Day was held at the Health Innovation Centre in Odense. The day celebrated and encouraged innovative efforts in the region.

The day showcased the exchange of knowledge and experiences through in-depth cases, highlighting how innovation drives solutions to specific challenges in the healthcare system. 

Three projects were nominated for both the Innovation Award and the People's Choice Award. 

Winner of the Innovation Award: Self-Test Station for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

The Innovation Award was won by the Self-Test Station for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, developed by the Dermatology I and Allergy Centre at Odense University Hospital. It was presented by clinical nurse specialist Nadia Trier Munk and acting chief nurse Bettina Trettin, postdoc, PhD.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award: Preventing Cervical Cancer

The People's Choice Award went to PEACE – Preventing Cervical Cancer, led by Lone Kjeld Petersen, professor and head of research at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital. This project aims to improve the diagnosis of cervical cancer precursors using AI. 

Anja Lund, chairwoman of the Digitisation and Innovation Committee, concluded the first Innovation Day on behalf of the Digitisation and Innovation Committee and the Innovation Steering Group with these remarks: 

A heartfelt thanks to everyone for an enriching day that has helped to highlight the exciting innovation initiatives and projects taking place across the region’s hospitals.

A Better Life with Back Pain 

In 2025, the Research Unit for Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Southern Denmark and the Practice Department in Region of Southern Denmark collaborated to support a paradigm shift in back pain treatment. 

Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark contributed by involving users - including patient representatives, clinicians, researchers, and practice consultants - in developing a toolkit with 12 materials aimed at supporting dialogue and self-management. These materials are designed to foster a meaningful dialogue between patients and clinicians and equip individuals with back pain to make the most of life despite chronic or recurring lower back issues. 

Read more about the shift in back pain treatment

Health in Europe: Joint Actions, Joint Future

On October 28, 2025, the EU conference Health in Europe: Joint Actions, Joint Future convened European policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and representatives from 11 different Joint Actions to discuss how Europe can work together on joint health efforts. 

Organised by the Region of Southern Denmark and the Joint Action project PreventNCD, the day buzzed with lively discussions, where participants shared insights and discussed projects, all with the goal of strengthening collaboration and ensuring sustainability across projects.

Read more about the Health in Europe conference: Joint Actions, Joint Future

Activities Within the Framework of the Innovation Strategy 

The strategy “Patients’ Health – Together for Innovation” provides a mission-oriented framework for innovation efforts. It strengthens the foundation for the region’s innovation work through a set of goals and initiatives. 

There were numerous activities in 2025 as a result of the strategy, including the mentioned Innovation Day.

Strengthening Innovation Culture Through Competency Development 

So far, 75 regional employees, across three groups, have participated in the course ‘Become a Culture Bearer for Innovation’. The course is aimed at both managers and staff across units and departments and is designed to strengthen competencies and a shared innovation culture. Additionally, similar tailored courses can be developed for individual hospital departments to focus on local innovation projects. 

Promoting and Developing Innovative Ideas 

As a result of the innovation strategy, the 2024 Budget allocated 10 million DKK to promote and develop innovative ideas. A total of 11 projects have received funding from the pool for larger projects, while 12 projects have received funding from the pool for smaller projects (microfinancing).

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The RAIN network was very active in 2025, hosting five well-attended network meetings on AI in healthcare: 

• May 15, 2025: Getting ahead of AI in procurement.
• August 21, 2025: Focusing on the fact that AI in healthcare is, first and foremost, about people.
• September 30, 2025: Exploring the use of AI in lung cancer screening.
• October 29, 2025: Exploring how AI can create real value for patients, clinicians, and organizations.
• December 3, 2025: Raising the rhetorical question: Is AI really the solution to your problem?

The Innovation Column in Region of Southern Denmark

Over the past year, four contributors have shared their insights in the Innovation Column. This initiative aims to highlight the region’s vision for innovation by presenting successful examples of innovation projects. External collaborators and partners are also invited to share their experiences and perspectives. 

The Digital Health Centre

The Digital Health Centre continues to grow, expanding its network to include 37 municipalities by the end of 2025. This expansion broadens the reach of digital health initiatives. 

In November 2025, the Danish Board for Health Apps recommended the ‘Mit Liv – Min Sundhed’ app, within the Digital Health Centre. This app now appears on sundhed.dk as one of 10 recommended health apps. 

This recognition is a major achievement for the talented partners and professionals who have contributed to the development of the app, and it marks an important step toward enabling more citizens to benefit from free digital resources in the app. 

See You in 2026

Several events are already in the calendar: 

• January 21, 2026: A seminar on public-private innovation.
• February 23, 2026: Funding Network meeting focusing on the use of AI in funding applications

Save the date for the second Innovation Day on September 9, 2026. 

Discover what’s next in innovation – connect with us on LinkedIn and explore more on our website to stay updated on the latest initiatives and developments.