Jakob Lorentzen appointed as Clinical Professor
Christina Høi-Hansen and Jakob Lorentzen are newly appointed clinical professors with special focus on children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of the new appointments is to strengthen treatment for children with CP through a new interdisciplinary collaboration that will form the basis for a future CP clinic at BørneRiget (Children’s Hospital at the Rigshospital in Copenhagen).
The two professors will be affiliated with both the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet. They are expected to create a vibrant research environment which can make the basis for a coordinated national collaboration in the field. The professorships are made possible by means of funds from the University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet and the Elsass Foundation.
Every year 130 children are born with CP in Denmark. This makes it the most common cause of disability in children. It is possible to reduce the consequences of CP if the right interdisciplinary treatment is started as early as possible. The early and combined interdisciplinary efforts are the focal point for the two new professors; together they will put further focus on the area in a new knowledge and practice center at Rigshospitalet.
Jakob Lorentzen is currently employed as Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, where he also is the head of studies for the master's program in neurorehabilitation. For many years, he has specialized and excelled in research in the field of CP. He was originally trained as a physiotherapist, and he therefore also has several years of clinical experience with children, adolescents and adults with brain damage. Jakob has a Ph.D. in sports and neuroscience and is part of a national and international research network focusing on the CP and brain injury area.
Jakob Lorentzen sees the new professorship and the close collaboration with Professor Christina Høi-Hansen as a fantastic opportunity to ensure that children and adults with CP are diagnosed earlier than before, so that the treatment can be adapted accordingly and be initiated as early as possible.
Read the full article in Danish from the Elsass Foundation here.