Biography
Obtained high school diploma in 1966. Studied medicine in Berlin and Hamburg, licensed to practice medicine in 1973. Attended the Academy for Public Health in Düsseldorf in 1983, and the Academy for Occupational Medicine in Berlin from 1985 to 1986. In 1991, completed studies in Epidemiology and Health Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. Also earned a high school diploma in 1973. Studied law at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, passing both the 1st and 2nd state examinations.
Practicing lawyer and entrepreneur since 1987.
Serves as president of the Nuremberg-Fürth Animal Welfare Association, member of the board of trustees for the Bavarian Aids Foundation, and member of the general assembly of the Nuremberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Holds the position of deputy chairwoman of the CSU district association Nuremberg-Fürth-Schwalbach and the district association of the Women's Union. Served as state treasurer of the CSU from 1995 to 2003, has been a member of the CSU presidium since 1995, chairs the CSU finance commission, acts as deputy state chairwoman of the CSU medium-sized businesses union, and is part of the presidium of the Union's economic advisory council. From 1990 to 1994, served as city councilor in Nuremberg, focusing on housing policy, economics, law, urban planning, and urban development.
Member of the Bundestag since 1994. During the 14th electoral term, chaired the economics and technology working group of the CSU regional group. From October 2002 to November 2005, served as economic policy spokeswoman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Since November 22, 2005, has been Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economics and Technology. Participated in the Quickborner team (Metaplan), worked as a ship doctor, conducted a research trip to South America, and served as a port doctor in Hamburg. Areas of expertise include internal medicine, hygiene and environmental medicine, and public health. Has medical experience in clinics and practices; since 1983, served as medical officer and lecturer at the university and technical college in Flensburg.
Member of the ÖTV since 1972, served as staff councilor at AK Wandsbek, and chaired the specialist committee for health environmental protection of the Schleswig-Holstein Medical Association from 1986 to 2003. Since 2002, president of the Rheumatism League Schleswig-Holstein e. V.
Joined the SPD in 1988. Served on the Schleswig-Flensburg SPD district executive committee from 1992 to 2002, including as deputy district chairman from 1994 to 2002. From 1990 to 2002, was a member of the federal board of the Association of Social Democrats in Health Care (ASG), serving as deputy federal chairman since 1994 and chairman of the ASG federal committee since 2002. Also served on the local council of hometown from 1986 to 1998.
Has been a member of the Bundestag since 1994.
