Thank you and farewell to DDA from Henning Beck-Nielsen

Outgoing Chairman of the Danish Diabetes Academy Board Henning Beck-Nielsen hereby sends his regards:

Looking back at the past five years, Danish Diabetes Academy has been a success, which is evident from the international evaluation and general reputation of DDA. It has been a great pleasure for me to establish and lead DDA for five years.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Tore Christiansen for his great effort and support to me, the board, the committees, and not the least to all the young researchers. Also thanks to the secretariat, the committees and the board for all the hard work and energy you have put into this good cause. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the education of nearly 150 young researchers, their approx. 350 publications, and the numerous courses and symposia, have raised the bar of Danish metabolic research to a great extent - we have set a new standard.

The prevalence of metabolic complications like diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome are sadly still increasing. They are not trivial diseases, and therefore there is a need for intensive research. Research is the only way to get to know these diseases - a realisation that is necessary in the process of preventing and treating these debilitating diseases. We must never forget this in our desire for our own success and fame through research. 

Medical research has the primary goal to create new knowledge for the benefit of patients!

I sincerely hope that the foundation that DDA has provided for the many researchers, and the community it has build, will result in an even greater success of DDA in the future.

For me personally it has been a privilege to work with all these talented young people and to see them grow. 

A huge thanks to everybody and good luck in the future - remember that those who rest on one's laurels, carry them the wrong place.

Yours sincerely
Henning