I would like to express my great sorrow on the loss of our dearest friend Hans W. Sollinger. He was a recognized national and international scientist, a pioneering transplant surgeon, a mentor, a great leader, and friend to many of us in the field of transplantation.

Our dear friend, Professor Sollinger, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 with his family by his side on Monday, May 15, 2023. He left a grave legacy behind and will be recognized with his contributions to academic medicine and clinical research, and with his commitment to the training of young researchers and clinicians.

He was born in Pasing, Munich, Germany on August 30, 1946. Professor Sollinger earned his medical degree at the Medical School of Munich in 1973 and PhD at the University of Munich in 1975. Later that year, an immunobiology research fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison brought him to the US, and eventually he stayed for his surgical residency and transplantation training. He completed his surgical residency in 1980 and was hired by Dr. Folkert Belzer to join the faculty immediately following his training. He served as Chair of the Division of Transplantation from 1995 to 2009.His transplant surgical service at the University of Wisconsin spanned 40 years.

During his career, Dr. Sollinger revolutionized the field of transplantation. He developed a novel kidney pancreas transplant technique that significantly improved patient outcomes. He pioneered preclinical and clinical research development of an immunosuppressant drug called CellCept, which improved thousands of lives worldwide. He worked endlessly on gene therapy techniques that could potentially one day lead to a cure for type 1 diabetes. Later in his career, he developed a deep interest in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome.

Among many other honors and achievements, he served as the President of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, President of the International Society for Organ Donation and Procurement and served on the TTS Council for many years. Dr. Sollinger was the recipient of the American Society of Transplantation Mentoring Award in 2010, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Francis Moore Excellence in Mentorship in Transplantation Surgery Award in 2011, and the Transplantation Society-Roche Award for Outstanding Achievement in Transplantation Science (Clinical) in 2012. He received the prestigious ASTS Pioneer Award in 2019.

Throughout his career, he mentored countless students, residents, and fellows - many of whom eventually became lifelong colleagues and friends. He thrived on caring for patients and watching them lead healthy and longer lives. We had collaborated with Professor Sollinger for so many years and I had the opportunity of welcoming him to Turkey on several meetings of the Turkish Transplantation Society (TOND) and it has been a privilege to know him since many years. He will be deeply missed by all of us and I send my heartfelt condolences to his wife Mary and to his family. May God have his soul rest in peace.