Friedhelm Beyersdorf receives the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Freiburg, 08/07/2025
The Freiburg physician and emeritus university professor Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Friedhelm Beyersdorf was honoured for his outstanding achievements and commitment to the common good.
Member of the federal state parliament, presents Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Friedhelm Beyersdorf the Federal Cross of Merit. Photo: Jürgen Gocke / University of Freiburg
On 7 July 2025, Marion Gentges MoP, Minister of Justice for the State of Baden-Württemberg, presented Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Friedhelm Beyersdorf with the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at a ceremony at the University of Freiburg. He received this honour for his outstanding services to the university and society. The award ceremony was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg and Chairman of the Executive Board, and Mayor Martin Horn.
“Friedhelm Beyersdorf’s decades of work are characterised by the highest level of medical expertise, innovative strength and human vision,” emphasised Krieglstein in her welcoming address. “He has not only enabled medical care of the highest standard, but has also combined research, teaching and clinical application in an outstanding manner.”
“Friedhelm Beyersdorf’s decades of work are characterised by the highest level of medical expertise, innovative strength and human vision.”
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein
Rector of the University of Freiburg
In 1994, Beyersdorf was appointed a tenured professorship by the then Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Erwin Teufel. Until 2025, he was a member of the Faculty of Medicine at University of Freiburg. From 1994 to 2022, Beyersdorf headed the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg and established it as one of the few centres in Germany covering the entire spectrum of cardiovascular surgery in infants, children and adults – including thoracic transplants and artificial heart implants. He initiated the first heart transplant in Freiburg, the first heart-lung transplant and the first complete artificial heart implantation in Baden-Württemberg. He was also responsible for the first implantation of the Jarvik 2000 Ventricular Assist System in Germany. He played a key role in driving forward the merger with the University Heart in Bad Krozingen.
