PROFESSOR ERNST WENZEL, M.D. 1935-2004

On February 14, 2004 the scientific community suddenly and unexpectedly lost one its members, Ernst Wenzel, M.D. He was the Director of the Department of Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine at the University of the Saarland in Homburg, Germany.

Dr. Wenzel was a graduate of the University of Vienna, Austria, where he received his M.D. degree 1963. He completed his training in internal medicine in Austria and completed his scientific training at the Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, where he specialized in hematology and transfusion medicine. In 1974, he joined the faculty of the University of the Saarland, where he later created the Department of Clinical Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine. The department, which Dr. Wenzel chaired for 25 years, centers its activities on patients with bleeding and thromboembolic problems. A specialized hemostasis laboratory, a hemophilia care center, and a blood donor service are part of the unit.

Dr. Wenzel's research interests centered on platelet function and its determination, blood interactions with artificial surfaces, the biochemistry of fibrin formation, the diagnosis and management of thrombophilia, and the safety of anticoagulant medications. He discovered Fibrinogen Homburg 1-3, and developed a test that accurately measures platelet adhesion, the Platelet Retention Test Homburg (RTH).

Dr. Wenzel served as advisor to fifty medical students who-under his tutelage-completed their theses to obtain a M.D. degree, and he advised seven colleagues in their work to obtain the “priviledge to lecture”, “Venia Legendi”.

Dr. Wenzel authored or coauthored over 200 scientific publications, served on many scientific organizations and editorial boards, and was especially active as a member of the “Arzneimittelkommision der Deutschen Ärzteschaft” [Drug Commission of the German Medical Association], which monitors the safety of drugs marketed in Germany.

In his private life, Dr. Wenzel was a collector of antique books and loved the arts, especially classical music.

Our sympathies go to his wife, Dorothea, their children and grandchildren.

The scientific community has lost a great personality and a valuable scientist. We will always remember him for his sharp mind, sense of humor, and outstanding capabilities as a caring physician.