Hybrid IU Symposium in Cologne: Future of Health & Care
The healthcare system is facing profound structural changes. At the upcoming hybrid 3rd IU Healthcare Symposium in Cologne, experts will discuss forward-looking concepts, digital transformations, and scientific findings within the modern nursing and healthcare landscape, both on-site and in the digital space.
The Cologne metropolitan region is increasingly establishing itself as a central hub for academic debates in the healthcare sector. Designed as a hybrid event, the IU symposium offers a cross-disciplinary platform for professional audiences from all over Germany to shed light on pressing issues regarding quality of care, economization, and technological progress. The specialist conference will be chaired and opened by Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel, head of the E-Commerce Institute in Cologne, together with the academic location management, Prof. Dr. Katja Grupp. A key thematic foundation will be laid by the guest lecture from Günter Wältermann, Chairman of the Executive Board of AOK Rheinland/Hamburg, who will outline the procedural challenges and opportunities in the digitization of the healthcare sector.
Important Facts: IU Symposium Cologne
- 📅 Event Date & Location: The symposium takes place on May 22, 2026, at the IU International University of Applied Sciences, Cologne Campus in the Gerling Quartier.
- ➔ Digital Zoom Access: Online participation is barrier-free via the Official Zoom Link (ID: 688 906 3632) with the password: 2025.
- ✔ Key Theme: The event focuses on the overarching topic of “Digital Empowerment in Healthcare”.
- ✔ Comprehensive Program: Structured schedule running from 09:30 AM (arrival in the Venetian Hall) through expert lectures in Room 1.15, concluding with a networking session until 03:30 PM.
- ✔ Top Speakers: Scientific contributions and keynotes by high-caliber stakeholders from health insurance, leading research, telemedicine, and practical application fields.
- ✔ Student Focus: Ceremonial presentation of certificates of attendance and achievement awards directly to IU students during the closing block.
Full Program Schedule & List of Speakers
The following overview documents the complete scientific program, including all sections, precise time slots, and the institutional backgrounds of the expert speakers:
| Time | Section / Topic & Content | Speakers & Institutional Background |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 AM | Arrival of participants (Venetian Hall) | Open reception for all guests and attendees |
| 09:45 AM | Opening & Welcome: Scientific introduction and welcome address by the academic leadership. | Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel (IU / E-Commerce Institute Cologne) & Prof. Dr. Katja Grupp (IU International University, Academic Location Management Cologne) |
| 10:00 AM | Keynote Lecture: “Digitization of the Healthcare System” – Insights into the digital transformation of statutory health insurance. | Günter Wältermann (Chairman of the Executive Board of AOK Rheinland/Hamburg) |
| 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM | First Part of Lectures (Room 1.15): – Digital health literacy – Digital movement-based care – Interoperability for integrated care – National electronic identity – Trust in AI-based technologies – Joint discussion of all professional contributions |
Prof. Dr. Klara Brixius & Alina Holle (German Sport University Cologne & gkv informatik) Prof. Dr. Bettina Wollesen (German Sport University Cologne / University of Hamburg) Prof. Dr. Siegfried Jedamzik (Deggendorf Institute of Technology – DIT) Dr. med. Markus Leyck Dieken (Die BrückenKöpfe / former Managing Director of gematik GmbH) Prof. Dr. Susanna Minder (IU International University) Moderation: All speakers |
| 12:00 – 01:00 PM | Lunch Break (Venetian Hall) | Shared networking over snacks and refreshments |
| 01:00 – 02:30 PM | Second Part of Lectures (Room 1.15): – Benefit dimensions in the “Book of Health” – Stakeholders in digital health, especially the EU – The digital medical practice – latest developments – Further aspects regarding digital movement – The ZiBeKo funding project by the BMFTR – Discussion on the planned 2nd edition of the book |
Dr. Ulrich Arnold & Prof. Dr. R. C. Geibel (CEO gkv informatik & IU) Rüdiger Hochscheidt (Independent Consultant, H-IT-Beratung) Medical Specialist Sami Gaber (Founder & CMO docport GmbH) Prof. Dr. Bettina Wollesen (German Sport University Cologne) Prof. Dr. R. C. Geibel & Annalena Sommer (IU International University) Moderation: All participants |
| 02:30 – 03:00 PM | Event Conclusion (Venetian Hall): – Summary and scientific outcomes – Presentation of certificates of attendance & awards – Outlook, next steps & the future of the IU Symposium |
Prof. Dr. R. C. Geibel, Prof. Dr. K. Grupp as well as other university professors and students |
| 03:00 – 03:30 PM | Get Together: Informal exchange at the end of the event ahead of the Whitsun long weekend. | All participants, students, and speakers with finger food and drinks |
Biographical Background of the Scientific Stakeholders
The foundation of the congress is built upon the broad expertise of the authors and presenters:
- Dr. Ulrich Arnold: The CEO of gkv informatik acts as an experienced senior IT executive and a strategic bridge-builder between business structures and cutting-edge information technology.
- Prof. Dr. Klara Brixius: She conducts research at the Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine at the German Sport University Cologne, focusing clearly on molecular sports medicine and preventive effects.
- Medical Specialist Sami Gaber: As an expert in general medicine and CMO of docport GmbH, he drives forward innovative system practice models within digital care.
- Rüdiger Hochscheidt: The independent consultant primarily focuses his work on European healthcare policy and cross-border digital infrastructures.
- Alina Holle: The consultant at gkv informatik holds a Master’s degree from the German Sport University Cologne and dedicatedly focuses on the scientific transmission of digital health literacy.
- Prof. Dr. Siegfried Jedamzik: The general practitioner and professor at DIT is considered one of Germany’s pioneers in telemedicine and networked care structures.
- Dr. med. Markus Leyck Dieken: As the former Managing Director of gematik GmbH, he steered Germany’s core digital infrastructure for years and is currently a partner at “Die BrückenKöpfe”.
- Annalena Sommer: The research associate at IU carries out interdisciplinary research in psychology and digital marketing and is directly involved in the BMFTR ZiBeKo / CIP project.
- Prof. Dr. Bettina Wollesen: Alongside her role heading the institute at the German Sport University Cologne, she serves as Vice President for “Health and Motion” at the German Association for Sports Science (dvs).
A central driver of the symposium is the realization that technological innovations must support the human element in healthcare. The project results presented by Prof. Dr. Geibel and Annalena Sommer within the framework of the CIP innovation community made it clear that the so-called “implementation gap” is frequently not purely a technology issue. By intuitively integrating digital assistance systems into the nursing staff’s daily workflows and through optimized data networks, administrative hurdles can be lowered, reclaiming valuable time resources for patients.
FAQ Section – Science and Practice in Dialogue
How can external interested parties participate in the symposium in Cologne?
The conference is conducted as a hybrid event. Digital participation takes place flexibly via Zoom using the official conference link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6889063632, Password: 2025), enabling barrier-free knowledge transfer well beyond Cologne’s city borders.
What core messages are delivered by the contribution of Günter Wältermann (AOK)?
The lecture by Günter Wältermann emphasizes that the digital infrastructure in the healthcare sector needs to be harmonized nationwide. The focus is placed on stable interfaces, secure care structures, and noticeable relief for all stakeholders involved.
What is the significance of interoperability and national identities?
As discussed in the expert contributions by Prof. Dr. Jedamzik and Dr. med. Leyck Dieken, standardized interfaces and secure electronic identities form the mandatory prerequisite for integrated care. They ensure data-privacy-compliant and seamless information exchange across institutions.
This article is based on the program content, expert lectures, and scientific presentations of the 3rd IU Healthcare Symposium at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Cologne with the participation of the E-Commerce Institute.