At a birthday dinner in honor of Professor Falkenhagen, the Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jürgen Willer said that Professor Falkenhagen had been successful not only in the field of medical science at the University, but had also been an energetic member of several management committees at Danube University Krems. In this context he referred to his work as Chairperson of the University Council - a position he held for ten years, i.e. from 1995 to 2005. "As Chairperson of the Founders' Committee in 2004, he provided major impulses for the evolution of Danube University Krems - in raising the University to its current state of prominence and significance," explained Professor Willer. Danube University Krems, said the Rector, is greatly indebted to Professor Falkenhagen. The Rector also expressed his best wishes for the new decade in Professor Falkenhagen's life.

Lower Austria thanked for commitment
Mr. Wolfgang Sobotka, Deputy Governor of Lower Austria, thanked Professor Falkenhagen for his immense commitment that has influenced not only Danube University Krems, but has also provided significant impulses for the research site of Lower Austria. He specifically referred to the fruitful cooperation with the Regional Clinics Holding of Lower Austria and mentioned, in this context, the first Austrian sepsis unit at St. Pölten - an intensive-medicine facility focused on the treatment of blood poisoning. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dieter Falkenhagen had been the initiator of the project.

Successful cooperation

Prof. Dr. Ing. Emanuele Gatti, member of the executive board of Fresenius Medical Care Management AG and previous chairperson of the University Council at Danube University Krems mentioned, in his laudation, that Professor Falkenhagen's achievements in the investigation of extracorporeal blood purification procedures had established, at an early point in time, the cornerstone for the development of innovative medical technical products. From the very beginning Fresenius Company has accompanied and provided financial support for the work conducted at the research center in Krems, which is currently known as the Center for Biomedical Technology at Danube University Krems. In 1998 - after six years of intensive research and development - the so-called Prometheus procedure to support the liver was successfully used for the first time in a patient in Vienna. The procedure was approved in 2002.
According to Gatti, Professor Falkenhagen made significant contributions and deserves credit for having developed Danube University Krems into an internationally renowned competence center in the field of biomedical technology. Gatti praised Professor Falkenhagen's "outstanding research spirit and entrepreneurial courage."

Scientist with pioneering spirit

The Vice-Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr. Viktoria Weber, who has closely worked with Professor Falkenhagen for several years at the Center for Biomedical Technology at Danube University Krems, praised his pioneering spirit and specific skills in dealing with human beings, correctly estimating, as well as convincing others. "You look ahead and you identify potentials when others only see barriers," said Weber.

Professor Falkenhagen thanked the speakers with moving words and said that his decision to settle down in Lower Austria had been correct and meaningful. The state has now become his second home. Much of what he achieved would have not been possible without the support of his staff as well as Danube University Krems and the state of Lower Austria, he said.

At the birthday dinner in honor of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dieter Falkenhagen, the Rector invited staff members, companions, and prominent persons from politics, finance, culture and sports to participate in the event.