FAU Alumni #HallOfFame: Dr. Bernd Montag, CEO Siemens Healthineers

Homecoming: FAU alumnus Dr. Bernd Montag at FAU's Physikum. As a student, he discovered his deep love for physics here. (Photo: G. Iannicelli)

Video Interview with the Pioneer in Medical Technology

September 23, 2024

Meet Dr. Bernd Montag, the CEO of Siemens Healthineers and a key player in the field of medical technology. As a globally recognized innovator in healthcare, his journey began here at FAU, where he studied physics and earned a Ph.D. in theoretical multi-particle physics. Along the way, he also showcased his basketball talent as a junior national player and as a player for Bamberg in the German League.

In this alumni interview, Dr. Bernd Montag returns to the place where he devoted many hours to his studies in lecture halls, seminar rooms, and research laboratories: the Faculty of Sciences at FAU.

If you don’t love what you do, then life is too short.
_{Dr. Bernd Montag}

Physics enthusiast, former professional basketball player, and FAU alumnus

In the interview, Dr. Bernd Montag speaks about his experiences as a student, shares some key milestones from his professional path, and reflects on his values and goals while leading a team of over 70,000 professionals. He also discusses the importance of passion in one’s occupation and why maintaining balance in life is essential for him. You can find the full interview in the video below.

What has stayed with you most from your time at FAU?

Here is where I really discovered – and this is a big word – my love for theoretical physics: this clarity and simplicity and beauty of interrelationships. And that’s something I wouldn’t want to miss.

You still have close connections to FAU, for example as a debating partner and speaker at events. What does your connection to your alma mater mean to you?

[…] This ‘ecosystem’ that we have in Erlangen and the surrounding area, with the University, and the university hospital in particular, and then Medical Valley and Siemens Healthineers, is something quite unique. And I think this interplay and the intellectual challenge and the diversity in this environment is extremely important. And then I think it’s good to really get oneself involved.

What advice would you like to give to our students?

[…] There is a nice saying in English: ‘Action precedes motivation.’ Which means that you shouldn’t wait until you’re motivated to do something, but you should just start doing it, get a feeling for it and try it out. Then, the motivation comes all by itself in the next step. That’s what happened with me and my passion for theoretical physics.