Dear colleagues and friends,

The VI^th International Symposium Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine 2011 was dedicated to my friend Prof. Mikko Hallman, MD, PhD, Oulu, one of the most prominent European scientists in neonatology. Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine has become the largest scientific and educational forum outside the United States of America.

In 2011, nearly 800 neonatologists from 62 nations enjoyed the exceptionally high quality of the scientific and clinical presentations and the unique opportunity to discuss relevant topics with the members of the faculty. I am most grateful to all speakers and chairmen, - highly respected and distinguished clinicians and scientists – and the sponsors of Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine 2011; without their help it would have been impossible to invite such a prominent faculty and to offer considerably reduced registration fees for participants from low- and middle income countries.

The overall response of the audience was extraordinarily positive; 86 percent of the participants felt that the didactic quality of the presentations was above average (“excellent”: 45 %, “above average”: 41 %). 82 percent of the neonatologists found the relevance of the symposium to their clinical practice to be above average (“excellent”: 39 %, “above average”: 43 %). Moreover, 91 percent of the audience thought that the organization of the scientific program was remarkable (“excellent”: 61 %, “above average”: 30 %); the congress organization also received a very positive feedback (“excellent”: 57 %, “above average”: 29 %). Würzburg as congress venue of “Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine” was considered as an ideal place to organize such an event by the majority of attendants (“excellent”: 62 %, “above average”: 27 %).

This response and numerous positive comments are highly motivating, and it is a great pleasure for me to announce the

I hope you can join us at another “Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine” and I am looking forward to welcome you to Würzburg.


With best regards,






Christian P. Speer, MD, FRCPE
Professor of Pediatrics
Director and Chairman
University Children's Hospital Wuerzburg / Germany