Christiana Dolezal

A graduate of Graz University of Medicine, Christiana Dolezal has training as a general practitioner and two diplomas from the Austrian Chamber of Physicians - in environmental medicine and in geriatrics – and is also a trained and qualified emergency physician. She taught from 1975 to 1976 at the Lehranstalt für gehobene Sozialberufe Linz, a school specializing in social work professions, and has been a general practitioner since 1979. She soon became involved in politics in Linz, where she has been on the city council since 1991 and a member of the city senate since 1997. In the meantime she has advanced to the position of vice mayor, responsible for the health care system, the general hospital, environmental protection, sports, water and bridge construction, and international relations. She is the chairwoman of Linzer Frauengesundheitszentrum (a women’s health center), Verein für Gesundheitsförderungskonferenzen (the association for health promotion conferences) and since 2000, chairwoman of the Healthy Cities Network, a committee of the Association of Austrian Cities and Towns. Christiana Dolezal has been on the FGÖ Board since 2000.

"Maintaining, promoting and improving public health is a naturally a focal point of my work. The FGÖ has taken initiative and been supportive in this area. To me, my involvement in this organization also means a chance to exchange information and views. That, in turn, helps me to cooperate more effectively on health promotion with all the stakeholders involved."