Professor Gerald Holtmann

Professor Gerald Holtmann is the Associate Dean Clinical at The University of Queensland, working across the two health faculties of Health and Behavioural Sciences, and Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.  In this role, Professor Holtmann works closely with the Research and Academic Associate Deans within the health faculties to promote understanding of clinical teaching and research at The University of Queensland. Such understanding is achieved through high-level engagement activities at the clinical level across all disciplines and partner hospitals.

Professor Holtmann is also responsible for leading strategic clinical initiatives for the health faculties and for developing and implementing strategies and policies which foster the role of clinical academics. As part of this, he oversees the Academic Title Holder Process, and works with the Associate Dean Research to develop strategies for the translation of basic research into clinical outcomes.

Research backgroundAs an accomplished and internationally renowned Academic Gastroenterologist, Professor Holtmann has a particular research focus in the field of neurogastroenterology and has led pathophysiology research in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders for nearly two decades. With the publication of more than 150 original articles and 94 reviews in high impact peer reviewed journals, Professor Holtmann is well known for his pioneering work in establishing the role that inflammation plays in functional gastrointestinal disorders. He is also considered one of the leading international experts in immune activation and disturbed gastrointestinal function. Besides research in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders he has also led research in health systems where he has examined the role accreditation plays in hospital performance.

Managerial and Leadership experienceProfessor Holtmann has substantial managerial and leadership experience inside and outside the academic sector. In addition to his role as Associate Dean Clinical at The University of Queensland, he is currently Director of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

In addition, he is on the Facilitations Committee of the Translational Research Institute (TRI) and the Board of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, both based in Brisbane. Prior to relocation to Brisbane, Professor Holtmann completed a 3 year term as CEO and Medical Director of the University Hospital Essen, Germany where he oversaw an annual budget of over $1b and subsequently served several years on the hospital’s Board. From 2003 – 2007, he was jointly appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of Adelaide, and Director of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and General Medicine at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Education and TrainingProf Holtmann completed his Clinical Training in Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University Hospital Essen, Germany and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Sydney). In addition to his training in Medicine and Gastroenterology he completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of South Australia and is certified by the German Board of Physicians in Medical Informatics and Biostatistics. Since his relocation to Brisbane in 2011, he has focused on redesigning Gastroenterology and Hepatology clinical service delivery to allow greater integration of clinical and translational research. He is now working to further develop translational and basic research to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disorders.