Assoc. Prof. Annemarie Weißenbacher to become the new PMU Rector from 2026

Decision of the Board of Trustees: the visceral and transplant surgeon has been invited to enter further negotiations with the PMU. 

The Board of Trustees of the Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) today selected Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Annemarie Weißenbacher as the potential future PMU Rector. The visceral and transplant surgeon is set to succeed Univ.-Prof. Wolfgang Sperl starting in 2026. The decision was made by the board members following the personal presentations of the final candidates. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Governor Dr. Wilfried Haslauer, announced the result. The Paracelsus Medical University is thereby authorized to enter into negotiations with the selected candidate. These negotiations will take place over the coming weeks, after which, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sperl's successor will be officially announced. Dr. Sperl is currently serving his second term as PMU Rector.

Haslauer: „An important strategic decision.“

“Appointing Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Annemarie Weißenbacher, a visceral and transplant surgeon at the Medical University of Innsbruck, as the next rector of Paracelsus Medical Private University is a key strategic decision. It ensures that an individual with outstanding medical expertise, leadership, and vision will continue to guide this institution, which plays a vital role in Salzburg's medical sector. At the same time, it preserves the strong foundation built by Dr. Wolfgang Sperl, whose medical and scientific contributions will remain essential to the university's future development.”

Multi-stage selection process

Today's decision was the result of a multi-stage selection process. A search committee reviewed all submitted applications and recommnded a shortlist of three candidates. In accordance with the statutes , the final decision for selecting the next rector lay with the Board of Trustees, chaired by the Governor. 

The following three candidates presented themselves to the PMU Board of Trustees today:

• Univ.-Prof.in, DDr.in Andrea Olschewski, University Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz
• Univ.-Prof., Dr. Michael Studnicka, Head of the Pulmonology Department, University Hospital Salzburg
• Assoz. Prof.in Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in Annemarie Weißenbacher, DPhil, Visceral- and transplant surgeon, Medical University of Innsbruck

PMU to continue negotiations with Weißenbacher

Over the coming weeks, PMU will enter into final contract negotiations with Annemarie Weißenbacher, who originally hails from Tennengau. She is expected to succeed Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sperl as of January 1, 2026. "I am pleased that my successor has been selected with sufficient lead time, allowing me to smoothly transition my various responsibilities by the end of the year," emphasized the current PMU Rector, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sperl.