WEISSENAU - PD Dr Christian Tilz has been Head Physician at the Clinic for Neuorology and Epileptology since 1 July.
He succeeds Dr Hartmut Baier and Dr Andreas Meyer, who have taken over the previously separate
departments.
EDITOR: Mr Tilz, what is your basic approach to your new role?
PD DR. CHRISTIAN TILZ: On the one hand, this position is a great pleasure and a matter of honour for me.
Chief physician positions with an epileptological focus are rare throughout Germany. Personally, my
Herz has been particularly interested in epileptology since my year abroad as an Erasmus scholarship holder in Lyon,
after spending three months there at a large epilepsy centre. On the other hand
In my now 25-year professional career, I have always made sure that this
focus, but not to disregard the rest of the speciality; until
Most recently, for example, I worked regularly in the acute neurological department of a hospital with
maximum care. My new task at the ZfP Südwürttemberg is, on the one hand, to
structures of the Epilepsy Centre Lake Constance and, on the other hand, to further develop the
Clinic for Neurology specialising in Parkinson's disease and pain therapy. My position
thus offers the best basic prerequisites for my „professional attitude“ as a neurologist with
Specialising in epileptology. In addition, I find the personnel requirements with many
employees with an international background very appealing. Last but not least
The geographical location of the company makes it ideal for cooperation not only with the
regional network partners, but also across national borders. The
The opening symposium on 28 September with high-calibre speakers from four nations is intended to
send a signal.
EDITOR: What challenges do you face in the near future?
TILZ: I see several issues emerging here: there are organisational challenges
within the clinic through the merger of the two previous departments of Neurology and
Epileptology. The individual departments are to grow together, the organisation of the secretariats must be
The aim is to utilise synergistic effects, for example with regard to bed capacity
and a standardised regulation of patient admission seems sensible. Furthermore, I would like to
motivate employees to see themselves as a joint team in order to minimise rivalries or
to avoid fear of contact. All colleagues will continue to be needed in the future.
Other topics include public relations work with regard to referring physicians, clinics and
network partners, the opening up of new outpatient care structures and the
Hospital reform as an opportunity for specialised care services.
EDITOR: What do you see as the focus of your future work?
TILZ: Among other things, I see the further expansion of healthcare provision as a priority.
treatable epilepsy patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including
enabling new diagnostic and therapeutic options and interdisciplinary dialogue between
Care outside the clinic, for example in a nursing home. Whilst maintaining proven and
established processes and the continuation of events such as the „Epilepsy Day“ and the
epileptological winter conference, my public relations work is also focussed on congresses and conferences.
and on the possibilities of cooperating with university institutions in order to develop new
therapy methods.
EDITOR: What is important to you when it comes to leadership and teamwork?
TILZ: Open and transparent communication is very important to me, as is appreciation
towards each and every employee. It is about team spirit, which can and should be strengthened through team-building measures, and about identification with the employer. It is
It is a great privilege to find a clinic where all nursing positions are filled and medical staff are available.
staff have remained loyal to their employer for years. It is crucial that this remains the case. The dual
The management principle is very advantageous for me personally, as all important decisions are made in
Coordination with the nursing management.
EDITOR: What ideas would you like to realise, what projects are you tackling?
TILZ: We have already made the first organisational changes to bring the departments together.
already „tackled“. In the medium term, structural changes are planned in order to
optimisation processes with regard to workflows and spatial structuring as well as the
modernisation of the stations. In addition, an increase in capacity utilisation
just as important as new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities such as a
automated EEG analysis in epileptology or new therapy methods for Parkinson's disease in the
Neurology.
PD Dr Christian Tilz was born in Graz, where the now 50-year-old completed his medical studies at the Karl-Franzens University until 1999. In 2004, he graduated magna cum laude with his
D. at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. In 2006 he received his
He was recognised as a specialist in neurology and in 2007 he obtained the Epileptology Plus certificate from the
German Section of the International League Against Epilepsy. Tilz habilitated in neurology in 2010
at the Karl-Franzens-University Graz. For the past twelve years he has worked as a senior physician and head of
of Epileptology at the Clinic for Neurology at the Barmherzige Brüder Hospital in Regensburg.
The father of four children enjoys playing the cello, running and cycling.
