Prof. Aretz receives Honorary Citizenship from LMU Munich

Professor Thomas Aretz, HMI Boston

Munich, October 2005 - In appreciation of his personal commitment to the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Professor Thomas Aretz, Vice President for Education at Harvard Medical International (HMI) received the honorary citizenship of the LMU in a ceremonial act in Munich on October 10th, 2005.

Professor Aretz was involved in a deeply seizing innovation process in the medical faculty of the LMU. Beyond that he substantially helped to increase the reputation and attractiveness of the LMU abroad. Professor Klaus Peter, medical director of the University Clinical Center, appreciates Thomas Aretz as a "creative and inspiring teacher, critical advisor and a reliable coach for the medical profession of the LMU."

The honorary citizenship will be given to Thomas Aretz particularly for its work in the Munich Harvard Alliance for Medical Education. "The constitution and the successes of the Alliance are closely connected with Tom Aretz. The cooperation is not conceivable without his commitment" said Professor Bernd Huber, President of the LMU. The Munich Harvard Alliance was founded in 1996 to institutionalize the cooperation between the LMU and HMI. The University of Munich started to transfer the Harvard model of curriculum reform to its own faculty. The LMU Faculty of Medicine was the first in Germany to implement a challenging new medical curriculum with focus on problem-orientated learning in small groups.

Thomas Aretz is the most important partner of the LMU on the American side of the Munich Harvard Alliance. Prof. Frank Christ, Secretary General of the Alliance, appreciates his scientific and didactical expertise, his international experience in education and consultation and his unusual commitment for the concerns of the LMU.

Professor Aretz was born on 5 September 1948 in Obernburg, Germany. After school he went to the USA for study in 1972. He participated in the swimming competitions of the Olympic Games in Munich. In 1977 he acquired the degree of a Medical Doctor at Harvard Medical School. His research and clinical work is focussed on cardiovascular pathology. Thomas Aretz works for Harvard Medical International since 1999. As HMI Vice President of Education he is responsible for training programs and all international alliances. Aretz belongs to the senior management Group of HMI.