New Leadership at the University Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Magdeburg
On International Children’s Day, Prof. Dr. Antje Redlich will assume the W3 professorship in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Magdeburg University Hospital—a date that could hardly be more fitting. As a pediatric oncologist who has dedicated her professional life to the well-being of seriously ill children and their families, she will take over as director of the University Children’s Hospital in Magdeburg on this symbolic day.
How can artificial intelligence help detect complications early in a pediatric intensive care unit? How can rare tumor diseases in children and adolescents be better researched and treated across Europe? And how can a modern university children’s hospital attract young doctors to Saxony-Anhalt in the long term while simultaneously ensuring care despite declining birth rates? These are the questions being addressed by Prof. Dr. Antje Redlich, who will assume the W3 Chair in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Medical Faculty of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg on June 1, 2026.
 Sarah Kossmann_UMMD.jpg "PD Dr. med. Antje Redlich (c) Sarah Kossmann_UMMD")
Photo: Prof. Dr. Antje Redlich will assume the W3 professorship in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Magdeburg University Medical Center on June 1, 2026. Photographer: Sarah Kossmann/UMMD
The pediatrician has many years of leadership experience at the University Children’s Hospital Magdeburg—including as part of the interim hospital management team, as Executive Senior Physician, and as Head of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. During challenging times, she took responsibility for the care of critically ill children and, together with her team, developed new structures for the Children’s Hospital in Magdeburg.
“For me, pediatric medicine means far more than just medical care. It’s about supporting families in extremely stressful situations, making modern therapies accessible, and at the same time building a sustainable children’s hospital that inspires young professionals and keeps them in the region,” explains Prof. Redlich.
“With Prof. Dr. Antje Redlich, a proven pediatric oncologist and, at the same time, a figure from our own ranks is taking over the leadership of our University Children’s Hospital. She has been familiar with Magdeburg University Hospital since her student days, built her scientific and clinical career here, and has played a decisive role in shaping the development of pediatric and adolescent medicine in Magdeburg over many years. I am particularly impressed by her deep commitment to critically ill children and their families, her scientific excellence, and her ability to bring people and teams together even in challenging situations. The fact that a physician trained in Magdeburg is now taking on this responsible professorship is a strong testament to the quality of our academic training and the development opportunities at our institution,” emphasizes Dean Prof. Dr. Daniela Dieterich.
Research on rare childhood tumors
In her scientific work, Prof. Redlich focuses in particular on rare hormone-producing tumors in children and adolescents—so-called malignant endocrine tumors (MET). These include tumor diseases of the thyroid, the adrenal gland, and the neuroendocrine system.
Since 2021, Prof. Redlich has headed the national MET registry on behalf of the Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH). In this multicenter registry, children and adolescents with rare endocrine tumors in German-speaking countries are registered, clinically monitored, and scientifically studied. The goal is to further improve diagnostics and therapy and to develop new treatment strategies.
Her research combines clinical care with translational science. Together with national and international partners, Prof. Redlich investigates, among other things, molecular alterations in adrenocortical tumors, new approaches to immunotherapy, and the use of artificial intelligence in the analysis of imaging and registry data.
Internationally, the Magdeburg-based pediatric oncologist is involved in numerous networks. She is active in the European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors (EXPeRT) and serves as the elected Pediatric Chair of the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN). There, she contributes to Europe-wide care and research structures for rare endocrine diseases and tumors in children.
Artificial Intelligence for Pediatric Intensive Care
In addition to pediatric oncology, Prof. Redlich sees great potential for development in the field of pediatric intensive care. Together with Dr. Gert Warncke, Chief Physician of Pediatric Intensive Care in Magdeburg, and his team, she is pursuing the goal of integrating modern data analysis and artificial intelligence more closely into the care of critically ill children.
Pediatric intensive care units generate large amounts of medical data—such as vital signs, lab values, or imaging results. Using machine learning methods, this data will be utilized in the future to detect complications like sepsis or circulatory failure earlier and to tailor treatments more individually.
“Artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform medicine. It will enable personalized medicine that supports doctors in their decision-making and sustainably improves care for children,” says Prof. Redlich.
New Care Concepts for Saxony-Anhalt
In addition, Prof. Redlich is focusing on innovative care structures for children and adolescents in northern Saxony-Anhalt. Plans include telemedicine services for private practices and smaller pediatric clinics to make specialized pediatric expertise available outside of university centers. “We want to do our part to make the state attractive to families and address the declining birth rates.”
She is also involved in the planned nationwide PEDNET-LC network for the care of children and adolescents with Long COVID and other post-infectious conditions.
Another priority for her is a modern leadership culture in medicine. Prof. Redlich emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, flat hierarchies, and team-oriented structures.
“We need a medical field where expertise, collaboration, and mutual respect are at the center. Only in this way can we attract skilled professionals in the long term and ensure high-quality care for children,” she emphasizes.
About the Person
Prof. Dr. med. Antje Redlich, born in 1976 in Frankfurt (Oder), studied medicine at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, where she also completed her habilitation. She has been working at the university children’s hospital there since 2005, initially as a resident, then as a senior physician starting in 2017, and later as head of the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology department. In November 2021, she assumed the role of Executive Senior Physician, and since June 2023, she has been part of the hospital’s interim management team. She obtained her board certification in Pediatrics in 2011, her subspecialty certification in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in 2014, and her additional certification in Hemostasiology in 2016. Since 2021, she has headed the National Registry for Malignant Endocrine Tumors (GPOH-MET) and serves as Pediatric Chair in the European Reference Network Endo-ERN.
Background:
In order to obtain a professorship at a university in Saxony-Anhalt, an appointment procedure must be conducted in accordance with §36 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt (HSG LSA). Suitable candidates undergo a comprehensive process. An appointment committee composed of several experts evaluates the candidates’ achievements in research, teaching, and patient care.