Annika Saarikko has taken over as the new Managing Director of the Finnish Student Health Service today, September 8th, 2025.
“The FSHS has an important role to play looking to the future. We carry responsibility for students’ wellbeing as they build their future working life. Above all, we are part of the essential safety net in students’ lives that can boost young people’s confidence in the future”, says Saarikko.
She singles out higher education students’ access to care, staff availability and ensuring adequate mental health services as the most crucial tasks of the FSHS at this time.
“Ensuring students’ access to health services is our key goal. In particular, the growing need for mental health services is putting pressure on the FSHS to succeed even better in future. We will continue to improve the usability of our services, including our digital services, in accordance with the FSHS’s strategy”, says Saarikko.
The FSHS’s high-quality services are based on competent professionals who are fully committed to their work.
“We are struggling with the same issues concerning staff availability as other healthcare providers. However, our strengths are our respected work community, the importance of our work and our drive to further improve healthcare work. This is why I firmly believe the FSHS will continue to be a desirable workplace in the future”, says Saarikko.
“I am honoured to be able to start my work as part of the committed community of professionals at the FSHS. I see my work as Managing Director as providing a truly meaningful service. Here at the FSHS we can all work together to improve the wellbeing of students. Our work is led by the five-year strategy approved by the FSHS’s Board of Trustees. Implementation of that strategy is my most important task.”