Overview

Organising committee:

• Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC): Cees van Kooten, Onno Teng, Argho Ray, Edwin, Bredewold, Marije Koning, Arnelle Kallan, Marianne Lobbezoo
• Karolinska University: Sigrid Lundberg, Ioannis Parodis

Date: 2 – 4 July 2026 (Register before May 1st)

Location: Academiegebouw & Hortus Universiteit Leiden (Rapenburg 73, 2311 GJ Leiden, The Netherlands)

Faculty (alphabetical): Edwin Bredewold, Emilie Dronkers, Tom Huizinga, Jesper Kers, Cees van Kooten, Marije Koning, Sigrid Lundberg, Thijs van Mens, Ly Nguyen, Marieke Overbeek, Judith van Paassen, Ioannis Parodis, Argho Ray, Onno Teng, Merlijn Wind, Diane van der Woude

Introduction

We invite you to join us this summer in Leiden for an immersive experience for cutting-edge learning on the management of the severe, systemic manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases.

This program is a collaboration between Leiden University Medical Center and the Karolinska Institute, two leading institutions in medical research and education, united by a shared commitment to advancing healthcare for systemic autoimmune diseases through collaboration and multidisciplinarity. Both institutes have a common vision that bringing together internists, nephrologists, rheumatologists, pulmonologist and many other specialists is the best way to provide top-academic care for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

The severe forms of systemic autoimmune diseases have specific challenges to the treating physician including knowledge on the basic immunological concepts, clinical tools to address acute manifestations and skills to optimally perform as a multidisciplinary team. The LeiKa summer school will focus at teaching the daily clinical practice of severe systemic autoimmune diseases with a special emphasis on kidney involvement. The goal is to bring current insights into the immunological
background, clinical features and novel therapeutic options of systemic autoimmune diseases to young specialist (in training).

The LeiKa Summer School aims to equip physicians with knowledge, skills and a network to provide optimal care for this interesting and complex patient population. This summer school offers young specialists an unparalleled opportunity to expand their knowledge and network with international peers and experts.

Goals:

1. Optimizing care for patients with systemic autoimmune disease, notably acute and severe presentations.
2. Optimizing knowledge on basic immunology underpinning autoimmunity
3. To raise awareness of the need for multi-disciplinary care, collaboration and consultation by medical specialists

Target audience:

• A broad scope of medical young professionals, including residents and specialists, with specific interest in autoimmunity from the fields within Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Pulmonology, Dermatology, ENT medicine, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Intensive Care.
• Aim is to recruit 20-25 international participants in this second edition of the summer school.  

Our partnership with Karolinska Institute is built on a foundation of excellence in research and clinical innovation.

Both Leiden University and Karolinska have been at the forefront of medical research for centuries, sharing a commitment to pushing the boundaries of autoimmunity research, innovation and clinical care. Together, we are able to provide an environment where young specialists are challenged to learn, understand and take action to improve the care for systemic autoimmune diseases through lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions led by world-renowned experts from both institutions.