Harald Müller-Huesmann, Chief Physician at Habichtswald Clinic, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“At the ESC, you cannot vote for your own country.
Maybe not such a bad rule after all.
At the ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology election, things are different. And still, it made me reflect on the whole idea of ‘patriotism’ in medicine and science.
Starting May 19th, ESMO members will elect the next ESMO President.
And I will vote for Florian Lordick, MD, FESMO.
Not because he is German, but because I have known him for more than 20 years through our close collaboration within the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie in der DKG.
Scientifically excellent. Strategically smart. Internationally respected.
And someone who understands oncology not only from keynote stages, but from real-world patient care.
That is why this election is so interesting to me:
How do we actually choose leadership?
By nationality?
By symbolism?
By visibility?
By values?
Or by competence?
And yes:
We absolutely need more women in leading positions in medicine. That is beyond discussion. Which is also why I truly value Rebecca Dent’s candidacy and what it represents for international oncology.
But democracy also means being allowed to make nuanced decisions.
Not ideological. Not reflexive. But reasoned.
Maybe science and medicine need more of that again:
Respectful debate instead of tribalism.
Arguments instead of noise.
Integrity instead of outrage.
Because cancer does not care about nationality, gender, or political views.
And good medicine should not either.”
To which Viktor Grünwald, Professor of Urologic Oncology at the University Hospital Essen, added:
“Starting today, ESMO members can vote for the candidates online: ESMO Election 2026.”
Other articles featuring Viktor Grünwald on OncoDaily.