40 years ago, travel magnate Simon Spies made a donation of 20 million DKK to Hvidovre Hospital for Denmark’s first MRI scanner, marking the beginning of DRCMR. With the donation, the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR) was founded, and the department can now celebrate its 40th anniversary. The inauguration of the MRI scanner—nicknamed the “Spies Scanner”—in May 1985 brought not only advanced equipment but also a vision for research and development.

Under the leadership of Chief Physician Ole Henriksen, DRCMR was established as a research centre with an international outlook. Today, it is a key player in MRI technology and brain research, contributing to better and more precise diagnostics and patient treatment.

New Opportunities for DRCMR

In the coming years, new opportunities will arise for DRCMR as parts of the Capital Region's psychiatric centres are integrated into Amager and Hvidovre Hospital. A neurological department is also expected to established within a few years, pending political approval in September.

“This will allow us to integrate research across neurology, psychiatry, and internal medicine, laying the groundwork for discoveries that benefit patients with both neurological and systemic conditions,” said Professor Hartwig Siebner.

See more about the history of DRCMR in the 40-year anniversary booklet - click HERE.