Professor Heribert Schunkert was one of 88 people to receive the medal in a ceremony held in the Antiquarium of the Munich Residence by Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) as a "sign of honour and gratitude for outstanding services to the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian people". Schunkert is Professor of Internal Medicine / Cardiology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Director of the Clinic for Cardiovascular Diseases at the German Heart Centre Munichh. He also serves in an honorary capacity as Vice Chairman of the German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung).
"I have always had the great fortune to work in a wonderful team. I would therefore like to accept this award in gratitude on behalf of my many colleagues, the German Heart Centre Munich and my beloved family."
Since 1957, the Bavarian Order of Merit has honoured people who have made outstanding contributions to Bavarian traditions, the arts, sports, culture, the media, science, medicine, the economy or social issues. The number of living recipients is limited to 2000.
Source: Press release German Heart Centre Munich
Prof. Heribert Schunkert receives Bavarian Order of Merit
![]()
Bavarian Minister-President Dr Markus Söder presents Professor Heribert Schunkert with the Bavarian Order of Merit in the Antiquarium of the Munich Residence. | © Joerg Koch/ Bayerische Staatskanzlei
Further press releases and news
DZHK researchers receive Leducq funding
Jeanette Erdmann (DZHK partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck), Michael Joner and Heribert Schunkert (both DZHK partner site Munich) are members of a consortium which is supported by the French-American Leducq Foundation with six million dollars.