Talk guests & keynote speakers
PAUL GARASSUS
Dr. Paul Garassus (Neurologist, MD) President of the UEHP (European Union of Private Hospitals) since 2015, Vice President SFES (French Health Economics Society) since 2008 and President of the Scientific Council of BAQIMEHP (formation and analysis for the private sector in France). UEHP supports development for certified private hospitals in contract with national Social Insurance. Expert for BIAC (OECD), EU programs on innovation and sustainable health systems, his contribution is dedicated to healthcare management, quality and technology assessment, formation in Business School and University and professional health care reforms in Europe.
CYRIL TOMA
Dr. Cyril Toma is an experienced healthcare professional with a proven track record of improving the quality, visibility, and overall success of patient-focused healthcare systems. He has had a distinguished career and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of all the facets of healthcare operations, finances, and administrative procedures. Dr. Cyril Toma can successfully manage projects and build relationships that deliver significant and tangible results. His international work experience spans the regions of South-East Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
LISZ HIRN
Mag. Dr. phil. Lisz Hirn, born in 1984, studied philosophy and singing in Graz, Paris, Vienna and Kathmandu. She works as a publicist and philosopher in youth and adult education, including on the university course "Philosophical Practice" at the University of Vienna. Articles in various Austrian media. Published by Zsolnay in 2023 Der überschätzte Mensch. Anthropology of vulnerability. Further publications: Wer braucht Superhelden (2020) and Macht Politik böse? (2022).
KÖKSAL BALTACI
Köksal Baltaci has been an editor at the "Presse" since 2011 and has received a number of awards and scholarships during this time, including the Press Prize of the Vienna Medical Association, the Austrian Medical Association and the Upper Austrian Medical Association as well as the Silver Living Journalist Award for respectful reporting on life in old age. As a renowned health and medical journalist, he has already taken an in-depth look at the Austrian healthcare system - and critically scrutinized it. Most recently, in September 2022, he was awarded the "Press Prize of the Austrian Society of Pneumology for Outstanding Reporting in the Service of Lung Health". In addition, the industry magazine "Österreichs Journalist:in" named him "Journalist of the Year 2022" in the Science category, "Journalist of the Year 2021" in the Chronicle category and "Corona Explainer of the Year 2020".
PETER KÖPPL
Dr. Peter Köppl is the founder and managing partner of Mastermind Public Affairs Consulting. He is one of Austria's leading public affairs experts with professional experience as a journalist, PR consultant, press spokesman and lobbying manager in industrial companies, chambers, associations and agencies. Peter Köppl is President of the Austrian Public Affairs Association, a member of the Strategic Community, as well as a specialist author and lecturer. The communication scientist and political scientist (University of Vienna) graduated from the Graduate School of Political Management in Washington, D.C. in the field of "Lobbying & Public Affairs" as well as the Executive Program "Strategy Beyond Markets" at Stanford Business School.
PETER HAJEK
Dr. Peter Hajek is an experienced political scientist and academically certified market and opinion researcher with over 25 years of experience in empirical social research. He is the founder and director of Peter Hajek Public Opinion Strategies GmbH, a leading company in market and opinion research and strategy consulting. Dr. Hajek has also been a lecturer at FH Campus Wien and FH Wiener Neustadt since 2008. He is a sought-after commentator and analyst in national and international media and can regularly be seen on the weekly political program "ATV Die Woche". Dr. Hajek holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Vienna and was formerly Head of Political and Social Research at the Austrian Marketing Association and worked for the United Nations Department of Public Information in New York.
MARTIN GLEITSMANN
Dr. Martin Gleitsmann. Dr. Gleitsmann holds a doctorate in law and has worked as a social insurance officer at the Lower Austrian Farmers' Association, the SVA der gewerblichen Wirtschaft and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, including numerous functions as an insurance representative in the social insurance institutions. He subsequently headed the WKÖ's Social Policy and Health Department for 20 years and played a key role in shaping political developments in the areas of labor law, the labor market, social affairs, health, care and migration. He also served as President of the Federation of Austrian Social Insurance Institutions, Managing Chairman of the SVA der gewerblichen Wirtschaft and as a member of the Administrative Board of the AMS. Since 2019, he has been pleased to be able to contribute his experience as a senior researcher at the Economica Institute for Economic Research, as a lecturer in health policy and health planning at IMC FH Krems and as a consultant.
GEORG RÜTER
Dr. Georg Rüter, born in 1958, studied economics in Marburg and Bayreuth after completing his military service and traineeship in the meat industry. He then worked as a research assistant for Prof. Dr.Dr. Peter Oberender; Dr.rer.pol. In 1988/89, he was office manager at the Oetker Group headquarters in Bielefeld. From 1990 to the end of 2023, he was Managing Director of Franziskus Hospital Bielefeld, from which the Catholic Hospital Association of East Westphalia emerged. Since 1992, he has been a member of the board of the special purpose association of non-profit hospitals in Münsterland and East Westphalia (ZVMO), and has been its chairman since 2023. He is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bank für Kirche und Caritas in Paderborn and Franziska Schervier Altenhilfe in Aachen, a member of the Supervisory Boards of AGKaMed Einkaufsgesellschaft in Essen and Qualitätskliniken.de in Berlin, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Dr. August Oetker Foundation and a lecturer at Bielefeld University.
PETER EICHLER
Dr. Peter Eichler is Chairman of the Health Insurance Section and Chairman of the Life Insurance Section of the Austrian Insurance Association. He is a member of the Management Board of UNIQA Österreich Versicherungen AG and UNIQA International AG, both wholly owned subsidiaries of the UNIQA Insurance Group, until June 30, 2024. He is responsible for personal insurance and asset management. From July 1, 2024, Peter Eichler will be a member of the Management Board of UNIQA Versicherungsverein Privatstiftung. Peter Eichler began his career within the Group with his appointment as Deputy Member of the Management Board for Health Insurance of Austria-Collegialität und Bundesländer-Versicherung in 1998. Ten years earlier, he joined Austria Versicherung after completing his studies in commercial sciences in 1987 with his graduation and law in 1984 with his doctorate.
ANDREAS OBRECHT
Univ.-Doz. Dr. Andreas Obrecht is a sociologist, development researcher, author, presenter of the ORF-Ö1 live programme Punkt Eins and the programme Im Gespräch, head of the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development(www.appear.at), a program to promote scientific cooperation in research and teaching between Austrian universities and scientific institutions in Africa, the Western Balkans and the Caucasus, and head of the university cooperation network Africa UniNet(www.africa-uninet.at). Obrecht spent around 30 years teaching at universities and conducting field research in the South Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and the Himalayas. He has published numerous scientific and literary books, most recently: APPEAR II. New pathways towards participative knowledge production through transnational and transcultural academic cooperation. StudienVerlag, 2022 and Motel Afrique. Novel. Publishing house Bibliothek der Provinz, 2022.