Profiles in Gastroenterology
Dr. Raul Mateescu
doctorDr. Raul Mateescu is a Senior Physician (Medic Primar) in Gastroenterology at Spitalul Sf. Constantin in Brașov, Romania. His focus areas include diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, esophageal stents, and treatment of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Contracted with the Romanian national health insurance house (C.A.S.) since 2019, promoted to Senior Physician rank in September 2024.
Prof. Dr. med. Tim Lankisch
doctorProf. Dr. Tim Lankisch is a specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the gastroenterology practice in Düsseldorf city center. He studied medicine in Göttingen (1994–2001) and completed his doctorate at the University of Michigan in 2002. He then spent eight years at the Department of Gastroenterology at Hannover Medical School, earning his specialist certifications in internal medicine (2009) and gastroenterology (2010), and was awarded a W2 professorship in interventional endoscopy in 2011 (adjunct professor since 2017). After serving as senior physician and head of endoscopy and a period in Hamburg, he co-founded the Düsseldorf practice. Services: colonoscopy, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound.
Dr. med. Christian Lauermann
doctorDr. Christian Lauermann is a specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the gastroenterology practice in Düsseldorf city center. He studied medicine at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (2004–2011), completed his doctorate in 2017, and trained as a specialist in gastroenterology, hepatology, and infectious diseases at Düsseldorf University Hospital (2011–2018). He served as senior physician at St. Petrus Hospital Wuppertal (2018–2021) before joining the practice in central Düsseldorf in July 2021. Clinical focus: colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and abdominal ultrasound.
Dr. med. Martin Kliment
doctorDr. Martin Kliment is chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases at Helios Kliniken Schwerin, treating disorders of the internal organs, digestive tract, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. His department's range of services includes advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP and endosonography-guided interventions, contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasound, functional diagnostics (pH-metry, manometry, breath tests), and oncological treatment of gastrointestinal tumors through the day oncology unit.
Dr. med. Mihnea Horia Strain
doctorDr. Mihnea Horia Strain has been chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy (Medical Clinic II) at Helios Klinikum Gifhorn since 2022, having worked there since 2018. He studied medicine from 1987 to 1993 at Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, Romania, subsequently worked at Timișoara County Hospital, and earned his doctorate in 2004 with a dissertation on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C. From 2004 to 2013 he worked as a gastroenterology specialist at Timișoara County Hospital, before moving to senior physician posts in Stuttgart (2013-2014) and Aschaffenburg (2014-2016). His clinical focus is on diagnostic and interventional endoscopy and hepatology, particularly the management of viral hepatitis; the department is part of the site's certified colorectal cancer center.
Prof. Dr. med. Boris Pfaffenbach
doctorProf. Dr. Boris Pfaffenbach, born in 1962, has been chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology (Medical Clinic I) at Städtisches Klinikum Solingen since April 2008. He obtained his medical license in 1990 and his doctorate in 1991 from the University of Bonn, became a board-certified internist in 1996 and a gastroenterology specialist in 1997, and earned an additional qualification as a medical quality manager in 2000. His training took him to Essen University Hospital (pathology, 1990-1992), St. Josef Hospital at Ruhr University Bochum (1992-1997), and a senior physician post at Städtisches Klinikum Solingen (1998-2001); from 2002 to 2008 he was chief physician of internal medicine at Bethlehem Hospital Stolberg. He completed his habilitation at Ruhr University Bochum in 1998 and has served as an adjunct professor there since 2003.
Dr. med. Andreas Leodolter
doctorDr. Andreas Leodolter has been chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Metabolic and Infectious Diseases (Medical Clinic II) at Sana Klinikum Remscheid since 1 October 2009. He studied medicine at the Universities of Bonn and Vienna and completed his specialist training in gastroenterology at the University of Magdeburg under Prof. Dr. Malfertheiner. In 2002 he was appointed junior professor of molecular gastroenterology at the University of Magdeburg, researching gastroesophageal reflux disease and colorectal cancer prevention; he then spent about 18 months doing research in the United States before serving four years as senior physician of the Department of Internal Medicine at Jung-Stilling Hospital Siegen. He holds additional qualifications in gastroenterology and proctology, with clinical expertise in endoscopic procedures, gastrointestinal function diagnostics, and nutritional medicine.
Prof. Dr. med. Carsten Gartung
doctorProf. Dr. Carsten Gartung heads the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases at Johannes Wesling Klinikum Minden (Mühlenkreiskliniken), treating disorders of the digestive tract, liver, and infectious diseases, with a focus on liver and bile duct disease (including cirrhosis, hepatitis B/C/D, MASLD/fatty liver disease, PBC, and PSC), pancreatic disease, nutritional medicine, and endoscopic cancer screening. He also sees outpatients through an inter-regional group practice. The department has a certified colorectal and pancreatic cancer center and offers the full spectrum of diagnostic and interventional endoscopy including ERCP, endosonography, and capsule endoscopy.
Prof. Dr. med. Frank Kolligs
doctorProf. Dr. Frank Kolligs has been chief physician of the Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Diabetology at Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch since 2015, where he also directs the Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Center and serves as deputy head of the colorectal cancer center. He studied at Philipps University Marburg and completed his specialist training at university hospitals in Marburg, Ann Arbor (Michigan, USA), and Munich; from 2005 to 2009 he was a senior physician, and from 2009 to 2014 lead senior physician, at Medical Clinic II of Munich University Hospital. His research focuses on gastrointestinal tumors and their molecular mechanisms, prevention and early detection strategies, and liver cancer research; clinically he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures including colonoscopy, gastroscopy, endosonography, and endoscopic resection.
Dr. med. Kay Lange
doctorDr. Kay Lange is chief physician of the Department of Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) and, since 2023, also medical director of Helios Klinik Leisnig, succeeding René Schwarz in that role. He treats disorders of the digestive tract, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas.
Prof. Dr. med. Verena Keitel-Anselmino
doctorProf. Dr. Verena Keitel-Anselmino has been director of the University Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases at Magdeburg University Hospital (Otto von Guericke University) since 1 September 2021, where she also leads the treatment of liver and bile duct disease. Before her appointment to Magdeburg, she was a senior physician at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, where she completed her habilitation and was appointed W2 professor of internal medicine in 2015. Her research focuses on bile acid signaling and translational research into cholestatic liver disease.
Dr. med. Olaf Stiller
doctorDr. Olaf Stiller is chief physician of the Department of Internal Medicine II (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) at Helios Klinikum Aue and also sees outpatients at the Helios Arztpraxis Aue. His clinical scope spans gastroenterology and hepatology as well as pneumology and sleep and ventilation medicine. Under his leadership, the department offers endoscopic-interventional procedures on the bile ducts, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine, diagnosis and treatment of liver disease, radiofrequency thermal therapy (RFTT) of liver tumors, and pre- and post-transplant care for liver transplantation.
Dr. med. Michael Mullen
doctorDr. Michael Mullen is chief physician of the Department of General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Diabetology at Städtisches Krankenhaus Pirmasens, having moved to this position from Mainz University Medicine. He treats disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver as well as endocrine and kidney conditions; the department is a DDG-certified diabetes center and, since 2012, an accredited colorectal cancer center with a weekly interdisciplinary tumor conference, which he co-leads with surgeon Dr. Peter Gaßmann.
Prof. Dr. med. Florian Hentschel
doctorProf. Dr. Florian Hentschel, a native of Berlin, has been chief physician of the Department of General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Diabetology at Helios Klinikum Bad Saarow since 1 August 2025, succeeding Dr. Ullrich Wruck, with whom he initially worked alongside from May 2025. His specialist training took place at Klinikum rechts der Isar Munich, Charité Berlin, and Brandenburg University Hospital, with specialized endoscopy training at Hamburg-Eppendorf University Hospital and the Olympus Academy in Warsaw. He is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology with additional qualifications in emergency medicine and nutritional medicine. His scientific and clinical focus is on complex endoscopic procedures and rare, complicated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, and bile ducts, particularly esophageal disease; he also holds a teaching and research role at Medical School Berlin.
Dr. med. Kirsten Huhn
doctorDr. Kirsten Huhn is senior physician of the Medical Clinic (Gastroenterology) at Helios Klinik Duisburg-Homberg (St. Johannes-Stift) and a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology, treating disorders of the digestive tract and liver.
Dr. med. Andreas Große
doctorDr. Andreas Große is chief physician of the Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology at AGAPLESION Elisabethenstift Darmstadt. He has worked at the hospital for over 20 years, most recently leading the endoscopy section, before being appointed chief physician in October 2021. He completed his scientific training at Homburg/Saar University Hospital and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His clinical focus is on interventional endoscopy, such as polyp removal, as well as diagnosis and treatment of bile duct, pancreatic, and liver disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and acute management of inflammatory bowel disease. The department is part of the certified colorectal cancer center and works closely with the Department of General and Visceral Surgery.
Dr. med. Dorothee Dorlars
doctorDr. Dorothee Dorlars is chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology, Diabetology and General Internal Medicine at Klinikum Kassel. Born in the Rhineland, she studied medicine in Cologne and Clermont-Ferrand, France, completed her specialist training in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and gained additional qualifications in nutritional medicine and palliative care. After posts as an assistant physician in the Bergisches Land region and at Ludwigshafen Hospital, she joined Medical Clinic I at Kassel's municipal hospitals as a senior physician in 1996, became lead senior physician in 2002 under Prof. Dr. Jürgen Pausch and later Prof. Dr. Frank Schuppert, and took over as acting and then, from September 2023, permanent chief physician following Schuppert's retirement. Her clinical focus spans gastroenterology, diabetes care, general internal medicine, and infectious disease; she advocates for rational antibiotic use (antibiotic stewardship) and supports new diagnostic techniques such as laser endomicroscopy for food intolerances. She has also served as an employee representative on Klinikum Kassel's supervisory board since 2003.
Prof. Dr. med. Christian Gerges
doctorProf. Dr. Christian Gerges is chief physician of Medical Clinic II (Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hepatology, Neurogastroenterology and Infectious Diseases) at Helios Klinikum Krefeld, having taken over in 2025 from Prof. Dr. Thomas Frieling, who led the department for nearly 25 years and made it nationally recognized for neurogastroenterology. Born in Mülheim, Gerges studied medicine at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, became a board-certified internist in 2015 and a gastroenterology specialist in 2018, and completed his habilitation at the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2023. A significant part of his clinical training took place at the Evangelical Hospital Düsseldorf, and he most recently headed endoscopy at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine at Essen University Hospital. His focus is on interventional endoscopy, particularly complex procedures for liver and pancreatic disease, endoscopic removal of early gastrointestinal tumors, and treatment of functional swallowing and gastric emptying disorders.
Dr. med. Barbara Strey
doctorDr. Barbara Strey is chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy at Helios St. Johannes Klinik Duisburg, treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and bile ducts using modern endoscopic and interventional techniques. She holds DGVS additional certifications in hepatology and oncological gastroenterology, and is also DGVS-certified in inflammatory bowel disease. In addition to gastroenterology, she oversees the hospital's colorectal cancer center.
Prof. Dr. med. Dominik Faust
doctorProf. Dr. Dominik Faust is chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Asklepios Klinik Langen, leading a 23-member medical team in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. He holds teaching authorization in gastroenterology (Hesse, 2020) and internal medicine. His research covers intestinal conditions such as amyloidosis, immune modulation in intestinal inflammation, complications and immunoprophylaxis following liver transplantation, and viral hepatitis B and antiviral treatment strategies; he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and medical textbooks.
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Jens Martin Kittner
doctorPriv.-Doz. Dr. Jens Martin Kittner is chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Endocrinology/Diabetology and Rheumatology at HELIOS Klinikum Erfurt, treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic and rheumatological conditions, with a clinical focus on gastroenterological endoscopy.
Prof. Dr. med. Patrick Michl
doctorProf. Dr. Patrick Michl is W3 professor and medical director of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Intoxications (Internal Medicine IV) at Heidelberg University Hospital. He studied medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (1991-1999) with clinical rotations at UCLA and Harvard Medical School, completed his specialist training in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the University of Ulm (2000-2006), and gained further qualifications in infectious diseases and oncological pharmacotherapy in Marburg (2006-2010), where he served as senior consultant until 2015. From 2015 to 2022 he headed internal medicine as W3 professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, and gastroenterology in Heidelberg since 2022. His research focuses on pancreatic diseases, particularly surveillance programs for familial pancreatic cancer; he received the United European Gastroenterology "Rising Star" award (2009) and the Ludwig Heilmeyer Prize (2008), and serves on the board of the European Pancreas Club.
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Seufferlein
doctorProf. Dr. Thomas Seufferlein is medical director of the Department of Internal Medicine I (Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Metabolism/Nutritional Science) at Ulm University Hospital. Following research posts in Berlin and London (1990-1996), he became a board-certified internist in 2000 and a gastroenterology specialist in 2003; from 2008 to 2012 he headed Internal Medicine I at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, and since May 2012 the Department of Internal Medicine I in Ulm. His research focuses on gastrointestinal oncology and the growth regulation of tumor cells; he leads a laboratory for gastrointestinal growth regulation, chairs the certification committee for colorectal cancer centers, serves as editor-in-chief of the Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie, and is a past president of the German Cancer Society.
Prof. Dr. med. Torsten Beyna
doctorProf. Dr. Torsten Beyna is chief physician of the Medical Clinic (Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases) at the Evangelical Hospital Düsseldorf. He is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal endoscopy, with a research focus on early detection and minimally invasive treatment of gastrointestinal tumors as well as disorders of the bile ducts and pancreas. The endoscopy unit he leads has been recognized as a World Endoscopy Organization "Center of Excellence" since 2007 and performs more than 10,000 endoscopic procedures annually; he is regularly named a top physician by Focus and Stern magazines.