Home

News and Views

Reference

Education

Links and Services

Showcase Journal

fiogf49gjkf0d

TomSchulz

fiogf49gjkf0dTom Schulz" align="left">

Tom B. Schulz is Chief of the Department of Internal Medicine, Aust Agder Central Hospital, Arendal, Norway. He was born in Oslo in 1944. He attended medical school at the University of Munster, Germany, between 1962 and 1968, with one year spent at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. This was followed by residency at the Hospital of Vardø.

Before specializing in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr Schulz worked for one year in a psychiatric hospital, for two years as a general practitioner, and for another year in the Royal Air Force.

Dr Schulz has worked under Per Burhol, a pupil of Hirschowitch, and Johannes Myhren, at the University of Tromsø (the world's most northern university). At the time, Burhol guided many young doctors in writing their theses. He had a great enthusiasm for the new GI peptides. Dr Schulz worked with GIP, a very interesting substance from a physiological point of view, but was disappointed to find no major role for it in diabetes or obesity.

For the last 15 years, Dr Schulz has mainly been involved in clinical and administrative work at in Arendel. This was interrupted by one interesting year at a hospital in Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Dr Schulz was previously Chairman of the Norwegian Gastroenterological Association, and is currently a member of the European Board of Gastroenterology and the Norwegian Specialist Committee for Gastroenterology.

Dr Schulz has been involved in many national and several international, non-commercial clinical studies. He has published a thesis and around 60 papers on topics ranging from gastroenterology to internal medicine.

What made you decide to become a gastroenterologist?

The beginning époque of endoscopy, and the wish to do procedures without having to be a surgeon.

Who was the teacher you admired the most?

Johannes Myhren, who was one of the fathers of modern gastroenterology in Norway. He combined the skills of a talented scientist - encouraging young students in their work - with that of a caring doctor working with patients in a public medical service system.

Which research paper influenced you the most?

The one that demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori eradication abolished DU recurrence rate.

What is the most important fact that you have discovered?

Scientifically, that the dose-dependent glucose and amino acid induced release of GIP into the portal vein follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Otherwise, that in medicine, the truth is not always true, and is certainly not the only truth. Even the established truth usually has a defined half-life.

What is the biggest mistake that you have made?

The result of this is buried in the private graveyard that practically every working doctor has.

What is your unfulfilled ambition?

To build a computerized log for IBD patients that would let me, and other doctors who did not know the patient, have an overview of their medical history at a glance.

What is your greatest regret?

That, as a young doctor, I didn't work in a developing country for a couple of years.

How do you relax?

Walking or running with my wife and/or our dogs off road.

What is your favorite sport?

Cross-country skiing (not very original for a Norwegian).

What is your best place in the world?

Abroad: The 'old-towns' of Europe's medieval cities. At home: Our summerhouse in Brekkestø.

What is your favorite film?

"Gone with the Wind".

What car do you drive?

Seat Leon. No comment.

What is your best electronic 'toy'?

Palm-held GPS (General Positioning System).

What book are you reading at the moment?

With a humble desire to learn more about the great mysteries in life, I am currently reading,"Why Men don't listen and Women can't read maps" by Allan and Barbara Pease.

Why did you get in involved in GastroHep.com?

Because friends from the European Board of Gastroenterology sent me e-mails about it, and Roy Pounder told me it would become the best GI website.