First pile signals start of future-proof Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital
On Thursday 28 November the first pile has been driven, marking the start of the renovation of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ). With this renovation the WKZ/UMC Utrecht takes a big step towards a future-proof children’s hospital, where innovative and sustainable care is provided to the patients and their families. A common thread of the renovation is the creation of space, tranquility and privacy for both child and parent or caregiver.
The renovation will begin with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and High Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which will transition from inpatient wards to single rooms. This will allow parents or caregivers to stay and stay overnight with their sick child. This contributes to family-oriented care, where parents or caregivers are closely involved in their child’s care. In this way, they have more control and privacy together.
In addition to these departments, the Pregnancy and Triage Departments are also being remodeled, and the Medium Care Neonatology and Maternity Departments are being merged into family rooms, where parents and newborns can stay together in a personalized environment. All is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Josefien Kursten, member of the Executive Board of the UMC Utrecht: “With this renovation, we are focusing on the care of tomorrow. By transforming the hospital into a place where patients with their families and colleagues are central. In the new and renovated departments we will work differently to provide better family-oriented care. We will ensure that our working environment and the healthcare technologies we use are ready for the future.”
Keep an eye on the website for up-to-date information.
Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.
UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).