Gerhard Wiedermann 1929 - 2023
What - people at universities are often asked - is the measure of their success? Well, the answer seems simple: first and foremost, and rightly so, is the publishing activity. This is quite understandable, as the will to discover new things and to communicate this to society is one of the tasks of universities and their teachers. Gerhard Wiedermann was a successful scientist. His interest was in immunology, a fascinating subject that also formed the core of his habilitation (1965); we owe him the founding of the Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine and the further development of this field in scientific and practical terms, especially in the field of vaccination, tropical and travel medicine.
However, it is of particular concern to the author of these lines to recall the wonderful personality of Gerhard Wiedermann: He was not only a doctor and professor who fulfilled his academic duties as a researcher and teacher in an exemplary manner, but he was also a true humanist. His comprehensive education was not merely an external façade, but the source of his deep understanding of humanity. He always found the right tone, praising, encouraging or urging; when someone needed help, he was always the first to arrive. He radiated warmth that attracted and motivated those around him.
It must have been a pleasure and satisfaction for him to see the Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, which he founded, flourish as a successful member of the Medical University of Vienna, combined with intra-university and international acknowledgement.
Outstanding university teachers are recognised by the number and quality of their students, and Gerhard Wiedermann has achieved a great deal in this field as well. The best thing that can happen to one of his students is when such a teacher and role model becomes a friend - a very special honour he bestowed upon me.
If only there were more people of his character and ethos, I believe we would have fewer problems on this earth.
em. Prof. Dr Otto Scheiner
Gerhard Wiedermann 13.5.1929 - 28.5.2023
Stages of a scientist's life
1954 Doctorate of general medicine
1955 - 1960 Residency in internal medicine at the 2nd Medical University Clinic Vienna (Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Fellinger)
1959 - 1964 Research assistant at the Hygiene Institute of the University Vienna (Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans Moritsch), accompanied by a two-and-a-half-year residency at the New York University Medical Centre for the study of hepatitis and the basics of complement fixation and antibody-dependent cellular immunity
1964 Entrusted with the management of the Immunological Department of the Institute of Hygiene (Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans Moritsch)
1965 Habilitation with the thesis "Immunological Phenomena in Hepatitis"
1965 Taking over as head of the vaccination outpatient clinic at the University's Hygiene Institute Vienna (Head: Prof. Dr. Hans Moritsch)
1967 Extension of the vaccination outpatient clinic to include a tropical medicine outpatient clinic at the Hygiene Institute of the University of Vienna (Head: Prof. Dr. Heinz Flamm)
1967 - 1972 Study visits to the Hamburg Institute for Maritime and Tropical Diseases and to East Africa for further education in tropical medicine
1972 Appointment as Associate University Professor
1974 Appointment as Full University Professor for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical medicine, assumption of management of the institute of the same name
1998 Emeritus status
Awards:
Erasmus Prize, Kardinal Innitzer Prize, Wander Prize, Höchst Prize, Medical Association Prize, Prize of the Viennese Economy, Badge of Honour of the Medical University of Vienna