In Memory

Hansjorg Hellweg

 Translation of tribute follows: dr. Hansjörg Hellweg † With Hansjörg Hellweg we lost a wonderful person and we are indebted to him. Born in 1951 in East Berlin (both parents paediatricians), Hansjörg Hellweg started playing the piano at the age of five - until his last passion. After studying in Düsseldorf and obtaining a doctorate from Professor Horst von der Hardt, he began his specialist training in Braunschweig with Professor W. Graeber and settled in 1985 in Langenhagen as an ophthalmologist. At an early age he was interested in career politics. When a first individual health service (IGeL) was introduced in the form of glaucoma care, he strongly supported this measure and initially convinced skeptical colleagues of the purpose and advantage of this investigation. He traveled throughout Lower Saxony and gave corresponding lectures. The specialist colleagues first elected him as the district chairman of the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists for Hannover. He was also sent to the representative meeting of the Kassennztlichen Vereinigung Niedersachsen (KVN). In addition, he was active in the community of specialist medical professional associations (GFB). A short time later, he became state chairman of our professional association for Lower Saxony and a member of the delegates' meeting of German ophthalmologists. In 2004 he co-founded and co-founded the AugenDiagnostikCentrum Hannover. Also at the federal level, he gave numerous lectures on the topic IGeL and the topic private consultation. Especially in Berlin at the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and in Dusseldorf at the Ophthalmological Academy of Germany (AAD), he was a much sought after speaker. Hansjörg Hellweg was an ophthalmologist with passion and convinced his patients and colleagues with his clever, humorous nature, his Berlin wit and his wonderful, communicative appearance. We are very, very grateful for his many valuable suggestions. Courageously and persistently, he has always supported our specific ophthalmological interests and has not shied away from new territory. In doing so, he progressed on issues that today seem natural to us. We ophthalmologists in Greater Hannover will miss this excellent colleague! Hansjörg was a family man. He loved his children and his three grandchildren above all else. He always radiated great calm and serenity, convinced us all with his smile and his social intelligence. He was incredibly brave and admirably coping with his very serious illness. A great person. We have lost a great personality. We are all very grateful to Hansjörg.

From Susan (Washington) Snow via Gretchen Niver (BHS-70)