Prof. Dr. Michael Manns took office as MHH President on 1 January 2019. His term of office ends on 31 December 2024. In this interview, he takes stock.
Professor Manns, you came to MHH 33 years ago as the director of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology. Why did you choose Hannover at the time?
I was very young, 39 years old, when I started here. At that time, liver transplantation was the hot topic – and that was associated with Hannover and the name Rudolf Pichlmayr. My scientific focus was the immunology of the liver. Among other things, I worked on autoimmune and viral liver diseases and also on the recurrence of these diseases after a transplant, which was an important topic at the time because it jeopardised the success of a transplant. I applied for the C4 professorship in gastroenterology and hepatology that was advertised at the time. It was my third application. And in the end it worked out. For me, at least. I hope for MHH, too.
Definitely. Have you ever regretted your decision to come to Hannover?
No. I was tempted to accept offers three times. Those were difficult decisions. But in the end, my family and I have become very happy here in Hannover. Hannover is not our home, but it has become our home.
Six years ago, on 1 January 2019, you became president; your term of office ends at the end of the year. It has been a difficult few years. What do you look back on with regret?
Anyone who takes on such an office and then expects nothing but smooth sailing should not take it on in the first place. It was certainly difficult that the entire presidium changed during that time. It was also difficult that the generational change affected not only the leading professorships, but practically all areas. And the pandemic stands above everything.
Do you have the feeling that here on campus, which is a small world in itself, the pandemic was better handled than in Hannover?
I don't want to judge that. The medical locations have played a special role in the pandemic. And university medicine in particular proved its worth when, in the early days, with the many ventilation cases, people were flown in from across the country. And research had to continue during the pandemic. We were well prepared because infection research has always been one of our major areas of focus.
What encounters and experiences as MHH President were the best?
What really occupied my mind was the generational change. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the encounters with people who applied for a leading position in academia. After all, as MHH President, I am also the board member responsible for research and teaching. Dealing with the personalities was one thing; at the same time, because I am responsible for MHH's public image, I had to act as an ambassador for the location. That was easy, because I am completely convinced that MHH is a very good location – and Hannover is a city worth living in. I think Hannover is the most underrated city in Germany.
►Video: Farewell message from Prof. Manns to MHH employees
When Science Minister Falko Mohrs recently introduced your successor, Professor Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, he said that you are leaving her a well-ordered field. What are you most proud of?
First of all, it's very nice of him. He also knows that there are still some problems to be solved. The construction work must and will continue. The new building is primarily defined for patient care. However, we also have to start developing a concept for the reorganisation of science, teaching and training. We should continue to push ahead with excellence in research, teaching, patient care, training and translation. We have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive Hannover Health Science Campus (H2SC) that will be second to none. However, we have to convince employees, politicians and the public that all this will take time. We are talking about 20 years. The key question is: what will healthcare look like in the future? We will experience a huge transformation, which is partly due to demographic change alone. Research and teaching will also change. On the one hand, cutting-edge university medicine is located here, with a focus on infectious diseases, transplantation medicine, implant research and the developing focus of oncology. On the other hand, we also have to do our part to ensure that more doctors decide to work in primary care in rural areas after completing their studies, so that an equally high level of medical care can be ensured throughout the country.
What tips do you have for your successor?
My successor and I know each other well. She used to work in cardiovascular research at MHH and has a great scientific track record. She was also the MHH's research dean during my presidency. She is experienced in university politics and has international experience in several countries. She is well prepared. But in the end, it is not individuals, but a team that bears the responsibility: an executive board consisting of three members, supported by the senate and by all employees of all professional groups. I believe that she has the skill to advance MHH. If two of our three clusters of excellence are approved in May 2025, MHH will be able to compete for the status of University of Excellence. That could then become the first major challenge.
What would you like to say to the 11,000 people at MHH?
We have been through difficult times. The workload is heavy in all areas, but especially in patient care. Relief must be provided. This should now be possible with the relief agreement. However, care must be taken to ensure that the various professional groups do not drift apart. In the end, everyone plays an important role. After all, the MHH is a good employer that offers secure jobs.
You will remain at MHH even after your term of office has ended, won't you?
Yes, but I won't stand in anyone's way. I hold a senior professorship of the state of Lower Saxony and will try, among other things, to help fill the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), of which I was allowed to be founding director, with life.
Interview: Inka Burow
