Darmstadt Hospital mourns the loss of the head of the dermatology clinic and outstanding physician
It is with great sadness that the Darmstadt Clinic bids farewell to Prof. Dr. Maurizio Podda , Director of the Dermatology Clinic, who passed away on August 23, 2025 at the age of 60 after a long, serious illness.
Born in Cuneo (Piedmont) in 1965, the Italian-born doctor studied medicine in Frankfurt and gained international research experience at the University of California, Berkeley. After completing his habilitation in 2003, he headed the Dermatology Clinic at Darmstadt Hospital in 2007, expanding it into one of the largest and most respected dermatology centers in Germany.
Under his leadership, the clinic was established as a certified skin cancer center. His areas of expertise included skin aging, immunology, photodermatology, and dermatosurgery. Podda also championed aesthetic dermatology and was regularly named a top physician in the FOCUS physicians' list.
He earned particular merit with the LIPLEG study on the treatment of lipedema , which he co-initiated and which played a decisive role in ensuring that liposuction would be covered by health insurance in the future. In doing so, he drew nationwide attention to women's health and fought against the stigmatization of female patients.
In addition to his clinical work, Podda was a member of numerous professional societies, President of the German Society for Dermatosurgery and was involved in continuing education, including through the Darmstadt Dermatologists' Conferences.
Prof. Dr. Maurizio Podda leaves behind his wife and six children. Darmstadt Hospital honors him as an outstanding physician, passionate scientist, and warm-hearted person whose positive charisma and commitment left their mark far beyond Darmstadt.
He will be remembered with honor.
(Darmstadt - Red/VRO)
