Farewell: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sperl Concludes His Term as Rector of PMU

On December 4, 2025, Univ.-Prof. Wolfgang Sperl, outgoing Rector of Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), was officially bid farewell during a ceremonial emeritus event. Around 170 guests attended the celebration in the Jörg-Rehn Auditorium. The event was opened by Mag. Daniela Gutschi, representing Governor Karoline Edtstadler and Foundation Board Chairman Dr. Wilfried Haslauer. In her address, she emphasized the significance of PMU for Salzburg’s healthcare system.

Among the guests of honor were representatives of the Salzburg University Conference, the management of Salzburg State Hospitals, a delegation from Klinikum Nürnberg and the PMU’s Nuremberg campus, founding rector Prof. Herbert Resch, former chancellor Dr. Michael Nake, and the designated rector Assoz. Prof. Dr. Annemarie Weißenbacher, who will take office on January 1, 2026.

The musical program was provided by the brass ensemble of the University Mozarteum and PMU alumni Simon Moser and Anna Binder, who performed a piece in honor of the rector. Isle Spadlinek, a long-time companion of PMU, moderated the event and also led a roundtable discussion with Mag. Dr. Silvia Lechner, Dr. Thomas Lechner (SALK management), Alumni Club Chair Dr. Isa Marie van Wersch, Stephan Kolb (PMU Nuremberg campus management), and Prof. Dr. Daniel Weghuber, head of the Children’s Clinic at Salzburg University Hospital, who answered questions about Rector Wolfgang Sperl.

International video messages from Nepal and the USA underscored PMU’s global network. The laudation was delivered by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Markus Ritter, followed by founding rector Prof. Herbert Resch, who spoke about Sperl’s achievements during his term.

Bridge-Builder in Teaching, Research, and Practice

Univ.-Prof. Sperl led PMU for over five years, from June 2020 to December 2025. Previously, he served as long-time head of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Salzburg University Hospital, where he was highly respected as a physician, researcher, and mentor.

As rector, he further developed the vision of founding rector Herbert Resch and the spirit of the university’s namesake, Paracelsus. Building stable bridges—between disciplines, locations, and people—was a personal priority.

“Wolfgang Sperl combines professional and social competence, curiosity, openness, team spirit, connectedness, and strong communication skills.” — Mag. Dr. Silvia Lechner, Management, Salzburg State Hospitals

Challenges and Achievements of the Rectorate 2020–2025

Sperl’s term was marked by both challenges and successes, beginning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and ending with the successful completion of the Life Science Master Plan.

• Restructuring of PMU into three faculties (Human Medicine, Nursing Science, Pharmacy) with new leadership through vice-rectorates and deaneries
• Strengthening PMU as a two-campus university through close cooperation with Nuremberg
• Managing the COVID-19 pandemic through digitalization of teaching and establishment of a successful PCR testing initiative
• Strategic development of the organization with broad stakeholder involvement, clear positioning in research and teaching, and renewal of key partnerships
• Reaccreditation of PMU and introduction of a new bachelor’s/master’s model in human medicine
• Expansion of pharmacy and new master’s programs; increasing student numbers and successful switch programs
• Significant strengthening of research through new professorships, third-party funded projects, and international partnerships (Mayo Clinic, Nepal, Cape Town)
• Establishment of the Life Science Center Salzburg and new inter-university programs

A Guiding Vision of Humanity

A central theme of Sperl’s work for decades has been the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model of humanity—the belief that health can only be understood by considering the whole person. In his laudation, Prof. Markus Ritter, head of the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology at PMU, honored Sperl’s scientific, humanistic, and visionary achievements, describing him as “inquisitive, critical, and humanistic,” and highlighting his ability to create connections, as seen in the close cooperation with the Nuremberg campus and international partnerships in South Tyrol, Nepal, and the USA.

Gift Presentation and a Farewell in Unity

On behalf of all employees, Dr. Gottfried Stienen presented the second rector of PMU with a special farewell gift: a backpack filled with personal presents and a book offering insights into the rectorate period 2020–2025.

In his closing speech, Wolfgang Sperl thanked his family, colleagues, employees, students, and supporters of PMU for their support and valuable collaboration during his term.

“As I hand over the PMU, not only have bridges been built, but genuine connections have been formed,” he said in conclusion, promising, “I will remain connected to you and to Paracelsus Medical Private University in my heart!”

The event concluded with the symbolic act of handing over the office: the rector’s chain was solemnly placed in its case by Prof. Wolfgang Sperl, marking a dignified end to the ceremony.

Translated by Le Chat