Professor Friedrich-Wilhelm Mohr, born in 1951, studied medicine in Berlin, Bonn and Sydney. Since 1994 he is Professor and Chief of the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Leipzig and Medical Director of the Leipzig Heart Center.

He is a member of numerous national and international societies and boards, as well as editorial boards and has published more than 800 peer reviewed papers as author and co-author. Professor Mohr is currently President of the EACTS (since 10/2015) and Councilor of the AATS (since 05/2015). He has been International Director of the STS (01/2011 – 01/2014), Past President of the DGTHG (02/2011 – 02/2013) and the SHVD (2007-2009).

Since 1996 Professor Mohr and his team have worked to develop the technique of minimal-invasive cardiac-surgery, in particular mitral valve repair. He is now one of the leading experts in this field. He developed standardized Gore-Tex Loops for the replacement of chordae tendineae, which is a technique that is now used in cardiac surgery centers around the world.

Professor Mohr has trained and mentored many young surgeons from all around the world. Over the years, a number of the key figures who have supported and influenced the development of the Leipzig Heart Center have moved on to senior posts elsewhere. Under his leadership the Leipzig Heart Center has pioneered transapical aortic-valve implantation and became one of the world's leading centers for the treatment of structural heart disease.