Marlene Heckl is a physician specializing in psychiatry and psychotherapy as well as a science journalist. She has been a member of the Bavarian Ethics Council since 2022, advising the Bavarian State Government on key societal and health policy issues of the future. Besides her clinical practice, she works as a freelance author for acclaimed media outlets like the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Spektrum der Wissenschaft and the Deutsche Zukunftspreis. Her work as a science journalists has been honoured with the Georg-von-Holtzbrinck-Preis, among others. She is also the co-founder of the MedDev Community, an interdisciplinary initiative that connects medical professional and technical experts to develop future-proof, human centered solutions for the healthcare system.

Johanna Ludwig is a trauma surgeon, founder, author, and expert in digital healthcare. As Head of the Staff unit for care at gematik GmbH, she contributes to the digital transformation of the German healthcare system, shaping the interface between medicine and technology.

A graduate of the University of Oxford with a Master’s in Surgical Science and Practice and over ten years of clinical experience, she brings an international and practice-oriented perspective to healthcare innovation. With her background spanning clinical medicine, digital health and medical education, she is dedicated to advancing modern, patient-centered healthcare solutions.

Alexander Maßmann is Professor and Head of the Department for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart. He is passionate about highly innovative, artificial intelligence-supported, non-invasive diagnostic imaging modalities, with a particular focus on advanced minimally invasive, image-guided vascular and oncologic percutaneous therapies. Following his medical education at Saarland University Medical Center, he gained pivotal experience as a lecturer and senior researcher especially for clinical studies in the field of medical device development, preclinical applications, and clinical translation. Holding a Master’s degree in Health Care Management, he actively advocates for empowering cost-effective, patient-centered, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral healthcare. His multifaceted career make him a dynamic leader dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation and strategic development.

Corina Naujock held leadership positions at university clinics for over 20 years. Her career path led her from the University Clinic Essen to the University Clinic of Goettingen and, ultimately, to the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as head of the unit for clinical cooperations. In her current role, she focuses on networking and the transformation of the healthcare system.

She is convinced that healthcare reforms are necessary and wants to contribute to that process by bringing people and institutions together to actualize value creation potentials. It is her belief that we will overcome challenges in the future, if we bring about change and make the right decisions today.

Markus Ries is a specialist in paediatrics, a physician-scientist, university lecturer, and medical officer. He is an associate professor at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, Head of Research for Crisis Prevention and Resilience at Crisis and Disaster Management Unit at Heidelberg University Hospital, and is actively involved in health crisis coordination at the Rhein-Neckar District Health Department. In addition to his diverse academic career, he completed medical and leadership training with NATO.

He was involved in five drug approvals in the field of biotechnology, coordinated medical support measures by the German Armed Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has professional experience in the USA, the EU, the United Kingdom, Latin America, and Japan. 

Giselle Sarganas is a physician with a doctoral degree and holds a Master of Science in International Health (MScIH). At the Robert Koch Institute, she is responsible for pharmacoepidemiology within the Physical Health Unit of the Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring. Her areas of focus include the population-based development of chronic diseases and the associated use of medications. She currently focuses her research on how polypharmacy might effect the health of an aging society. Giselle Sarganas has long-term experience in epidemiological and public health research. For over 15 years, she has been involved in the development and implementation of numerous projects carried out in collaboration with key stakeholders in the German healthcare landscape. At the European level, her work extends to the Joint Action Prevent NCD and the Network of Experts in Long COVID (NELC).