Professor Werner Poewe is a preeminent neurologist whose distinguished career has profoundly shaped the field of movement disorders and Parkinson's disease research. He served as Chairman of the Department of Neurology at the Medical University Innsbruck from February 1995 until September 2019, establishing himself as a leading authority in Austrian and European neurology. Born on August 22, 1951 in Kettwig/Ruhr, Germany, he completed his medical education at Philipps-University Marburg from 1970 to 1973 before transferring to the Medical Faculty of the University of Innsbruck, where he graduated with distinction in 1976. His professional journey included a comprehensive residency in clinical neurology and psychiatry at the University of Innsbruck from 1977 to 1984, followed by a significant 15-month research fellowship at University College and Middlesex Hospital Medical School in London funded by the British Council.
Professor Poewe's scholarly contributions have centered on the clinical pharmacology of Parkinson's disease and dystonia, resulting in over 550 original articles and reviews that have fundamentally advanced treatment paradigms in movement disorders. His seminal habilitation work on long-term complications of L-Dopa therapy in Parkinson's disease provided critical insights that continue to inform clinical practice globally. As President of the International Movement Disorder Society from 2000 to 2002, he spearheaded initiatives that established international standards for diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders, significantly influencing clinical guidelines worldwide. His leadership in numerous clinical trials has driven therapeutic innovation, particularly in developing continuous drug delivery systems that have improved quality of life for Parkinson's patients across Europe and beyond.
Beyond his research legacy, Professor Poewe has been instrumental in cultivating the international movement disorders community through strategic leadership roles in major professional societies. He served as President of the Austrian Society of Neurology from 2002 to 2004 and as Past President of the Austrian Parkinson's Disease Society, significantly elevating research funding and patient care standards in his region. His mentorship has nurtured generations of neurologists specializing in movement disorders, with many former trainees now occupying leadership positions in academic institutions throughout Europe. Currently active in his emeritus capacity, Professor Poewe continues to influence the field through ongoing research collaborations, editorial contributions, and his role as Incoming Chair of the Movement Disorders Society European Section, ensuring his enduring impact on future therapeutic advances in neurology.
