Board of Directors
der Vigdis Thompson Foundation
The members of the Board of Directors of the Vigdis Thompson Foundations are appointed for 4 year terms. They are working on a purely voluntary basis to assure that all the revenue generated by the Foundation is fully applied to the cause: Support of the education, science and research in the medical field of the central nervous system.
Prof. Dr. med. habil. Michael Luchtmann
Chairman of the Board
My professional career started as a software developer and project manager at Dr.-Ing. Greiner Ingenieurberatung Gesellschaft für Projektmanagement mbH, where I was significantly involved in the development of software strategies for Deutsche Bahn AG from 1999 to 2005. At the same time, I studied business informatics at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, where I graduated in 2002.
In 2003, I decided to extend my knowledge and skills towards human medicine, which took me to Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg. During my studies, which I successfully completed in 2009, I already immersed myself in the world of medical research, particularly in the fields of brain imaging and clinical research.
My medical career took off quickly. After working at the University Clinic for Neurosurgery Magdeburg from 2010 to 2021 and eventually holding the position of senior physician, I took over the role of Chief Physician for Neurosurgery at the Paracelsus Clinic Zwickau in 2021. My specializations include neurosurgical intensive care, neurooncology, neurovascular surgery, neurotraumatology and restorative therapy.
Alongside my clinical work, I am also involved in the academic world. I have been a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau since 2022. My scientific contribution is documented by publications in renowned journals and my habilitation. This commitment was honored on the 29 July 2024 with the designation as Honorary Professor for Clinical Aspects of Biomedical Engineering by the Rector of the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Kassel.
Taking over the chairmanship of the Vigdis Thompson Foundation in April 2024 marked another milestone in my career. My extensive experience in medical research and patient care, together with my deep understanding of technological processes, enable me to adequately lead the Foundation in its mission, provide impetus and support innovative research in a way that can improve the quality of life of patients.
As a member of various specialist societies, including the German Society of Neurosurgery and the German Cancer Society, I bring not only professional expertise but also an extensive network to my new role. My previous work, characterized by continuous training, interdisciplinary research and a deep commitment to improving patient care, is the basis for me to continue the fortunes of the Vigdis Thompson Foundation.
Dr. med. Angelika Klammer
Vice Chairwoman of the Board
I was born 1952 in Eckernfoerde at the Baltic Sea and grew up in Luebeck. After graduating from High School I went to West Berlin. While I was waiting for admission to the medical university I went to technical school to become a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant and worked as a Radiology Assistant at a large hospital for the following two years. In 1976 I was accepted as a medical student at the “Freie Universität West Berlin”.
After completing my studies, I started to work at the University Clinic Benjamin Franklin where I began my education as a Neurosurgeon. After 8 years I moved to a large hospital where I met Jan Warnke for the first time. Shortly after he took over his duties at the hospital in Zwickau he asked me to join him as Senior Physician and since then we worked closely together. In 2006 I took the responsibilities as Head Physician of Ambulatory Services but also continued my duties in the surgical department.
The research work of Jan Warnke had always been of highest interest to me. I had a lot of patients in my ambulatory and stationary field who suffered from Arachnoidits and Tarlov Cysts and who I was able to support with surgical therapy. Since July 2021 I am retired. However, I am still interested in the the many open questions concerning this disease and I continue to support our foundation in order to assist patients worldwide to better understand their condition and offer an established therapy.
Dipl. Kfm. Ralph Ehring
Member of the Board
Born in Muehlheim an der Ruhr and raised in Duisburg, I nor any of my friends had any connections to the area of hospital or medicine. This all changed during the, at the time still common, civil service in a rehabilitation facility for drug addition and detoxification. I fairly quickly gave up the idea of studying psychology and rather started my education as a nurse in the south of Duisburg. This was one of the most memorable professional experiences for me and the principles of those days guide me still to this day. After my graduation as a nurse in 2003 I dove full of energy into nursing care where I learned that a lot of issues in the system are not ‘just’ changed with good care. In my position as the department head I could not find enough gratification and thus decided to take up studies of health economics in Krefeld. After completing my studies in 2009 I worked in various fields until I became Managing Director in Zwickau. This is where I first met Jan Warnke and later Angelika Klammer and Lutz Maaß.
That was the first time I learned of Tarlov Cysts and Arachnoiditis. I share the opinion that far too few people know about these diseases. As a non-medical individual I support the Vigdis-Thompson Foundation mainly in organizational and financial matters in its efforts for a better understanding of the diseases.
Lawyer Bernd Schultz
Member of the Board
Born in Berlin-Köpenick in 1959, I started studying law at the renowned Humboldt University in 1982 after graduating from the extended secondary school in 1978 and completing three years of military service. I graduated with a diploma in 1986.
After graduating in 1986, I initially took up a position as legal advisor at the foreign trade company Fortschritt Landmaschinen Berlin, where I worked until 1990. In the turbulent times of reunification, I took over the management of the legal department at Fortschritt Landmaschinen GmbH i.L. from March 1990 to September 1991, a challenging task that was both professionally and personally influential.
I started my career as a lawyer in October 1991 as a freelancer in close cooperation with the law firms Gschwendtner, Regel, Trempel & Partner (Berlin), Köhle and Wackerbarth & Coll. (Darmstadt). This collaboration lasted until August 1994, after which I worked as a freelancer at the law firm Feddersen Laule Scherzberg & Ohle Hansen Ewerwahn from September 1994 to 2000. In March 2000, I eventually opened my own law firm in Neuenhagen near Berlin, which I moved to Berlin in 2005.
In addition to my professional activities, I have always pursued continuous education, which is reflected, among other things, in the acquisition of foreign language skills in Russian and English. My path has been characterized by a constant willingness to learn, adapt and a deep commitment to the legal profession. As a lawyer with more than three decades of experience, I have established myself not only in legal practice, but also thanks to a broad network.
Due to the long-standing contact and cooperation with Jan Warnke, it was a personal endeavor for me to support and help shape the development of the Vigdis Thompson Foundation. Since April 1, 2024, I have therefore been involved as a member of the Board of Directors in order to accompany the challenges and opportunities of the foundation’s work on the basis of my legal expertise.
