Migraine and headache medicine: Graduates of Kiel University celebrate their academic master's degrees

Graduation ceremony and farewell for the 2023 graduates
, Friday, November 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., lecture hall of the old children's hospital

Welcome and opening remarks
by Prof. Dr. med. Dipl.-Psych. Hartmut Göbel | Academic Program Director

Greetings from
Prof. Dr. med. Joachim Thiery, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, CAU Kiel, Board Member for Research and Teaching, UKSH;
Prof. Dr. Birgit Friedl, Board Member of the Center for Scientific Continuing Education, CAU Kiel

Lecture by
Prof. Jes Olesen, Dr.med. (Copenhagen, Denmark), Dr. hon.c. (Rome, Italy), Dr. hon.c. (Yekaterinburg, Russia), Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP). Professor of Neurology, University of Copenhagen 1985 -. Chair, Lundbeck Foundation Center for Neurovascular Signaling 2006-2013. Visiting professor Harvard, 1999 and UCLA 2009. Chair Center for Experimental Headache Research 2016-; Founder Danish Headache Center 2001-; President of Danish Headache Society, Scandinavian Migraine Society, International Headache Society, Danish Stroke Association, Year of the Brain 1997 campaign, European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) and European Brain Council (EBC)

Speeches by the graduates:
Dr. Ursula Müller, Specialist in Neurology, Bundeswehr Hospital Ulm;
Dr. Mirjana Slijepcevic, Specialist in Anesthesiology, Pain Center Tutzing

Handover of the documents

Memories of a 4-semester part-time Master's program at Kiel University

Download the text of the graduates' speech

First successful graduates at Kiel University

Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine (MMHM)

For the first time in Germany, the part-time academic Master's program in Migraine and Headache Medicine (MMHM) was launched at Kiel University in the winter semester of 2021/22. Students from across Germany and abroad enrolled. Nationally and internationally renowned lecturers presented an interdisciplinary body of academic knowledge on the subject. At the graduation ceremony on November 10, 2023, 15 successful students received their Master's degrees from the program director, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel.

The part-time Master's program was developed by the Medical Faculty of Kiel in collaboration with the Kiel Pain Clinic. It is the first program of its kind in Germany and thus serves as a pilot project with implications for the faculty's profile. The program is designed for working professionals and is structured over four semesters. It covers the latest developments in migraine and headache therapy. At its core is an interdisciplinary concept with both theory- and practice-oriented modules. The university program culminates in the academic degree of Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine (MMHM).

In his welcoming address, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Joachim Thiery, emphasized the successful organization of the degree program: “This program was a forward-looking decision. The German Council of Science and Humanities calls for the transfer of university medicine into clinical practice, and the state is planning a transfer strategy. The Master's program is therefore a pioneering initiative. It demonstrates the vision of its initiators.” Prof. Dr. Birgit Friedl, from the board of the Center for Continuing Education at Kiel University, explained the three pillars on which the Master's program is based. The Faculty of Medicine has accredited the program and awards the Master's degree. The second pillar is the Kiel Pain Clinic, headed by Prof. Hartmut Göbel. There, the academic organization of the program and the clinical training take place. The third pillar is the Center for Continuing Education. The Higher Education Act mandates that the university offer continuing education programs, and the Center handles their administration and implementation.

In his keynote address, Professor Jes Olesen from the University of Copenhagen highlighted the disruptive findings in migraine and headache medicine of recent years. He emphasized the close German-Danish scientific collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Headache Centre, the University of Kiel, and the Kiel Pain Clinic. He stressed the need for master's degrees in this field to advance scientific progress and translate it into clinical practice. Migraine and headache disorders are among the most significant widespread diseases after dental caries. In recent years, there has been an explosive increase in knowledge regarding diagnosis, development, and treatment. However, less than 20% of those affected receive guideline-based prevention or acute therapy. The need for modern care is very high. Current basic research and clinical studies form the basis for contemporary treatment. The individual suffering and the significant societal impact necessitate a focus on specific areas. This, in turn, increases the demand for qualified, interdisciplinary migraine and headache experts.

The program is designed for working professionals, ensuring all participants gain hands-on experience in treating headaches and migraines. Comprehensive theoretical training by internationally renowned and qualified lecturers, combined with a strong practical focus, is central to the program. A key element is the diverse range of practical sessions in outpatient and inpatient settings. The program covers fundamental principles and therapeutic approaches over three semesters. It is a university-level program of high academic caliber. Key areas of focus include the organization and structure of treatment, with topics such as DRGs, multimodal treatment, and outpatient and inpatient care being thoroughly addressed. The first three semesters include 15 weekends of on-campus instruction at the Kiel Pain Clinic. Three weeks of clinical placements are also completed at the Kiel Pain Clinic. The subject-specific master's thesis is written in the fourth semester.

This part-time study program is primarily aimed at graduates of medicine, dentistry, and psychology with professional experience in the treatment of headaches and migraines. Further information can be found on the program's website: https://www.zww-kiel.de/migraine-headache-medicine

Voices from the professional community

"The academic program 'Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine' at Kiel University is an outstanding initiative. Worldwide, there is a significant unmet need for education and training in the field of headache disorders. A detailed and meticulously planned academic program like the one in Kiel is very welcome in the headache and pain community. The Master's program is perfectly integrated at the Kiel Pain Clinic and Kiel University, offering a balanced mix of theoretical and clinical courses. It aims to equip graduates with solid scientific and clinical knowledge, skills, and competencies in the field of headaches. Furthermore, this stimulating and comprehensive program will also contribute to meeting the considerable demand for competent and dedicated headache specialists and raise awareness of headache disorders."

Professor Rigmor Højland Jensen MD, Dr.Med Sci., Director, Danish Headache Centre, Department of Neurology, Study Director, Master of Headache Disorders, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

"As a representative of German pain medicine, which strives for high-quality care for patients with chronic pain that keeps pace with current scientific developments, I wholeheartedly welcome the University of Kiel's commitment to improving the quality of care for patients with migraines and headaches. The new degree program will become a milestone with a lasting impact on health policy. Ultimately, patients and modern healthcare will benefit, as they will have access to highly qualified and experienced physicians for the treatment of their headache disorders."

Dr. Johannes Horlemann, President of the German Society for Pain Medicine.

"The academic program 'Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine', developed and offered at Kiel University, is excellent and covers everything students should learn about headaches. It is very well-designed and comprehensive. This program was urgently needed to provide further training for therapists interested in specialized headache medicine. I congratulate the developers on their outstanding work."

Prof. Alan M. Rapoport, MD; Past President International Headache Society (IHS), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, California

"Migraines and headaches are the most common neurological disorders overall. Many patients with headaches and facial pain are urgently seeking competent and up-to-date care. This degree program helps to close an important gap in the academic training of experts. It will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on treatment in Germany in the coming years, along with further qualified treatment options and research initiatives for those affected."

PD Dr. med. Charly Gaul, Secretary General of the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG)

"Headache disorders are so common and debilitating that their impact on individuals and society cannot be overstated. The Master of Migraine and Headache Medicine program offers a unique opportunity to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to help thousands of patients in need. The commitment of the Kiel Pain Clinic and Kiel University to headache patients is renowned worldwide. When I examined the structure of this Master's program, I was not surprised by its comprehensiveness and thoroughness. A particularly noteworthy feature is the third semester's focus on the organization of headache care, a topic in which the Kiel Migraine and Headache Center and Kiel University have extensive experience. I have no doubt that this outstanding program will have a positive impact on the health of German citizens. I highly recommend this program and hope that it will be replicated in other countries.".

Dr. Elizabeth Leroux MD, FRCPC, Professor of Neurology, Head of the Headache Centre, South Health Campus, University of Calgary, Canada