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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
He ensured that people lived longer and better lives: the former president of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and world-renowned gastroenterologist Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns died today at the age of 73.
Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns succumbed to a tumour that had been affecting him for months, but which did not prevent him from continuing his research at the MHH until the very end, nor from further advancing the development and scientific organisation of the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint initiative of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and the MHH, which he co-founded.
‘With Michael Manns, we have lost an outstanding physician and scientist. He took responsibility for other people throughout his entire life. He was a role model,’ said MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner. "Science has lost one of its best. His legacy lives on and will continue to save many lives in the future. I am grateful for the time we spent together and for his enormous help when I started at the MHH. I mourn the loss of a friend. My sympathy goes out to his family and close companions.‘
’Michael Manns was my mentor, for which I am eternally grateful," said Prof. Dr. Heiner Wedemeyer, Director of the Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectiology and Endocrinology. ‘Michael Manns was an incredibly good motivator – not just for me. Chief physicians and doctors throughout Germany benefited from his expertise, his encouragement and, above all, his immense personal support. And last but not least, so many people owe their lives to him. My deep sadness is accompanied by gratitude.’
Professor Manns was Director of the MHH Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology from 1991 to 2020. He had a decisive influence on the clinic over almost three decades. His focus was on liver diseases, in particular viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases of the liver, hepatocellular carcinomas, transplant medicine and regenerative medicine. Among other things, he was involved in clinical trials for new standard therapies for chronic hepatitis and established the national competence network Hepatitis (Hep-Net), which was consolidated through the founding of the German Liver Foundation.
Professor Manns was one of the world's most cited scientists and held the chair of several renowned societies, including the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS), the German Working Group for the Study of the Liver (GASL), the German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM) and United European Gastroenterology (UEG).
In 2019, Professor Manns took over as president of the entire MHH. He handed over the office at the end of 2024 to the current MHH president, Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner. Since 1 January 2025, Professor Manns has held a senior professorship at the State of Lower Saxony and remained closely associated with the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectiology and Endocrinology until recently.
His six-year term as MHH President included the coronavirus pandemic and the associated challenges for the MHH as a university hospital. However, generational change and the upcoming new construction of the MHH were also defining issues during his time as president. His focus was on the continuous development of the MHH in all areas on its way to becoming a comprehensive Hannover Health Science Campus, particularly with regard to excellence in research.
In April, the then Minister President of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, awarded Professor Manns the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Lower Saxony for his achievements and services to medical research and to Lower Saxony as a centre of science. At the award ceremony, Weil said: ‘Professor Manns ensures that people live longer and better lives.’
Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns
Source: Karin Kaiser
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
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Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns
Source: Karin Kaiser
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
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