Prof. Dr. Markus Wallwiener is the new professor of gynecology at the University Medical Center Halle
19.10.2023 12:59
The entire spectrum of gynecology: Prof. Dr. Markus Wallwiener took up his appointment as the new professor of gynecology at the Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) on October 1, 2023. He also takes over the management of the university clinic and polyclinic for gynecology at the University Medical Center Halle. Previously, he was acting medical director of the women's clinic at Heidelberg University Hospital.
“Gynecology stands for women’s health and supports women in all situations and at all ages. For example, when you want to have children and during pregnancy as well as the often challenging changes during the menopause or cancer diseases such as uterine, ovarian and breast cancer,” says Prof. Markus Wallwiener, describing his subject. Particularly in cancer therapy, gynecology combines a wide variety of disciplines - from open to minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgical art through the use of biomarkers and human genetic methods to prophylactic procedures. “In addition to gynecological oncology, which I would like to expand at Halle University Medicine, obstetrics is also an important pillar of gynecology. Accompanying patients on their journey throughout their lives and the opportunity to work surgically make the subject so exciting for me.”
How diverse gynecology is is reflected in the research projects that Prof. Markus Wallwiener brings to the Halle University Medical Center. He is developing new concepts to carry out surgical procedures for cancer as minimally invasive as possible and to better combat so-called minimal residual disease, which is problematic in tumor therapy. “The tumor we can see is not the biggest challenge. Much more worrying are tumor cells that we cannot detect and that escape treatment. For the best chance of success, we want to develop new methods to characterize these cells. Only then can the procedure be planned precisely and personalized,” explains the expert in gynecological oncology.
Another project is dedicated to health services research. “Some women suffer from anxiety or depression and fall through the net. Young mothers are particularly affected. Anxiety and stress caused by the diagnosis is also a problem in cancer treatment and can affect treatment adherence. We are looking at the question of how medical systems can be built to identify these patients at an early stage and help them,” said the 43-year-old. Integrated support and care programs, psychological and digital approaches, quality of life and big data play a role. He sees university medicine as a watchdog that closes the gaps in care on an outpatient and inpatient basis in close collaboration with cooperating clinics and treatment teams.
Markus Wallwiener studied human medicine at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and received his Dr. med. there in 2007. med. doctorate. In 2009 he received specialist recognition in gynecology and obstetrics. He completed his habilitation at the University of Heidelberg in 2013 and most recently worked at Heidelberg University Hospital as acting medical director of the women's clinic and head of the center for gynecological cancers.
Prof. Dr. Heike Kielstein, Dean of the MLU Medical Faculty, explains: “With Prof. Dr. We have gained Markus Wallwiener, a proven expert in gynecology. His scientific projects, particularly in the areas of oncology and health services research, are translational and patient-centered. He is a competent contact person for women’s health and supports the Halle University Medical Center in networking even more regionally with other providers in this area.”