Salzburg: Festive Graduation Ceremony for the New Doctors of the Class of 2020

On September 26, 2025, Hangar-7 in Salzburg was transformed into the stage for a very special moment: 52 graduates of the human medicine program at Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) received their long-awaited doctoral titles—“Dr.in med. univ.” and “Dr. med. univ.” The ceremonial event was marked by several highlights, including the recitation of the Geneva Pledge, which officially sealed the young physicians’ entry into the medical profession, and, of course, the traditional hat toss. It was a day that honored the graduates’ achievements while also marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

The atmosphere was festive and filled with emotional moments: The newly minted doctors of the Class of 2020, along with their proud families and friends, radiated joy. The university itself also took the opportunity to celebrate this success in style, with Rector Univ.-Prof. Wolfgang Sperl, Vice Rector Univ.-Prof. Christian Pirich, and Dean of Human Medicine Assoc. Prof. Florian Wichlas offering their heartfelt congratulations to the new doctors.

Rector Wolfgang Sperl delivered the ceremonial address—his final one before retiring in December. He referred to the Class of 2020 as “his” class, reflecting on his term as rector from 2020 to 2025.

Authenticity, Integrity, and Compassion as Guiding Principles

In his speech, Rector Wolfgang Sperl addressed the new doctors with deeply personal words. His remarks were deliberately unpolished, authentic, and shaped by his own professional experiences. Using an anecdote, he illustrated that “healing and action often come together in ways no textbook can describe. It takes the right moment, the necessary knowledge, clear decisions, and sometimes quick action.”

He emphasized that PMU had equipped the graduates with the essential tools for their future careers, highlighting authenticity, a clear stance, knowledge, and compassion as indispensable companions on their professional journey. “You will certainly experience those moments in the art of healing where exactly this combination is called for—and will be crowned with success,” said the rector.

On behalf of PMU, he expressed heartfelt thanks to the parents and families of the graduates for their trust and support. He also thanked the faculty, program directors, and sponsors of the private university. He encouraged everyone to celebrate this special day with joy and pride.

The class speakers, Dr.in med. univ. Emma Strohmeyer and Dr. med. univ. Christoph Pulai, provided a charming conclusion. With humor, they compared their graduation to a birth and their time at university to embryogenesis. They looked back on the past years before announcing: HABEMUS DOCTORES—and the hats flew into the air.

The celebration continued with a champagne reception and a festive conclusion in the elegant setting of Hangar-7.

List of Graduates in Alphabetical Order

Dr.in med. univ. Sophie Aglas Dr.in med. univ. Sarah Al-Schameri Dr. med. univ. Felix Altenberger Dr.in med. univ. Tamina Busse Dr.in med. univ. Ilaria Carlini Dr. med. univ. Nikolaus Clodi Dr. med. univ. Patrick Coles Dr.in med. univ. Isolde Deleyto Rösner Dr.in med. univ. Marie Diess Dr. med. univ. Lukas Fischer Dr.in med. univ. Antonia Göttfried Dr.in med. univ. Gudrun Greutter Dr.in med. univ. Dogukan Güclüer Dr. med. univ. Philipp Hasenbichler Dr.in med. univ. Gretha Hecke Dr.in med. univ. Johanna Hölzl Dr.in med. univ. Martha Jockwig Cand. med. Christoph Kern Dr.in med. univ. Sophie Klaus Dr. med. univ. Niklas Kocher Dr.in med. univ. Mia Lackner Dr.in med. univ. Emma Lanzinger Dr.in med. univ. Pia Margarete Lenz Dr.in med. univ. Magdalena Lindner Dr.in med. univ. Sarah Lindorfer Dr.in med. univ. Lysanne Lüthje Cand. med. Thomas Marques Novacek Dr.in med. univ. Lisa Matei Dr.in med. univ. Marlies Mayer Cand. med. Manuel Memmel Dr.in med. univ. Marc Messner Dr.in med. univ. Moritz Nettinger Dr.in med. univ. Violetta Nick Dr.in med. univ. Hannah Pichler Dr.in med. univ. Lion Pichler Dr.in med. univ. Christoph Pieringer Dr.in med. univ. Gregor Pisecker Dr.in med. univ. Christoph Pulai Dr.in med. univ. Sarah Rabanser Dr.in med. univ. Francesco Reuter Cand. med. Anna-Lena Rund Dr.in med. univ. Stephanie Schaible Dr.in med. univ. Julia Seidl Dr.in med. univ. Leonie Sohm Dr.in med. univ. Jonas Strauss Dr.in med. univ. Emma Strohmeyer Dr.in med. univ. Jasmin Stummer Dr.in med. univ. Christine von Unterrichter Dr.in med. univ. Catherine Wecko Dr.in med. univ. Lena Widauer Dr.in med. univ. Alena Widhofner Dr.in med. univ. Lilli-Marie Winter

Paracelsus Medical Private University warmly congratulates the graduates and wishes them all the best for their future!

View the photo gallery

The event was recorded and is available for viewing

Translated by Le Chat