PONYA Austria
Team
Behind our association is a dedicated team of professionals, helpers, and visionaries united by a common goal: to improve access to life-saving dialysis care in Africa. With medical expertise, organizational talent, and a lot of heart, we are working to build sustainable dialysis centers and enable a better future for people on the ground.
Our independent Medical Board is composed of renowned experts from medicine and science. With their extensive experience, professional competence, and commitment to the highest standards, they provide us with advisory support and ensure that our work is always based on current scientific findings.
Medical Board
Associate Professor Željko Kikić, PhD
Specialist in internal medicine, nephrology, intensive care medicine
Senior physician in the preoperative internal medicine outpatient clinic at the University Clinic for Urology at Vienna General Hospital
Associate Professor Željko Kikić, PhD
Specialist in internal medicine, nephrology, intensive care medicine
Senior physician in the preoperative internal medicine outpatient clinic at the University Clinic for Urology at Vienna General Hospital
Dr. Kikic is a specialist in internal medicine, an additional specialist in nephrology and internal intensive care medicine, and an associate professor at the Medical University of Vienna (AKH). After many years at the University Clinic for Internal Medicine III – Department of Nephrology and Dialysis – he now heads the internal medicine preoperative outpatient clinic at the University Clinic for Urology and is responsible for personnel management in the department.
His professional career has been marked by a deep commitment to renal medicine, research, and teaching, with a scientific focus on transplant nephrology, dialysis technology, and infection prevention. Numerous awards, including the Austrian Society of Nephrology's Promotion Prize and the Austrotransplant Science Award, underscore his outstanding expertise.
As an academic teacher and head of an international research group, Dr. Kikic stands for medicine that combines science, humanity, and sustainability. He supports the vision of making modern and hygienically safe dialysis care accessible in Africa as well—as a contribution to greater health equity and a dignified life for all patients.
Dr. Kikic is a specialist in internal medicine, an additional specialist in nephrology and internal intensive care medicine, and an associate professor at the Medical University of Vienna (AKH). After many years at the University Clinic for Internal Medicine III – Department of Nephrology and Dialysis – he now heads the internal medicine preoperative outpatient clinic at the University Clinic for Urology and is responsible for personnel management in the department.
His professional career has been marked by a deep commitment to renal medicine, research, and teaching, with a scientific focus on transplant nephrology, dialysis technology, and infection prevention. Numerous awards, including the Austrian Society of Nephrology's Promotion Prize and the Austrotransplant Science Award, underscore his outstanding expertise.
As an academic teacher and head of an international research group, Dr. Kikic stands for medicine that combines science, humanity, and sustainability. He supports the vision of making modern and hygienically safe dialysis care accessible in Africa as well—as a contribution to greater health equity and a dignified life for all patients.
Prof. Florian Thalhammer, MD
Specialist in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, internal medicine
Attending physician at the Döbling Private Clinic
Prof. Florian Thalhammer, MD
Specialist in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, internal medicine
Attending physician at the Döbling Private Clinic
Dr. Florian Thalhammer is one of Austria's leading infectious disease specialists and a dedicated scientist with extensive clinical and academic experience. After studying medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, he specialized in infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and hospital hygiene. In addition to teaching at MedUni Vienna, he leads continuing education programs and is the founder of the well-known event series “Giftiger Dienstag” (Poisonous Tuesday), which has been an established platform for the exchange of medical knowledge for many years. The “Antibiotics & Anti-infectives” app he developed, which serves as a digital reference work for doctors and healthcare professionals on the use of antibiotics and anti-infectives, offers practical information on dosage, indications, pathogens, and adjustments for specific patient groups.
Dr. Thalhammer is a member of numerous international professional societies, ranging from the Austrian Society for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine to the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. He has received several awards for his scientific work, particularly in the field of antimicrobial therapies and infection prevention, including the Karl Hermann Spitzy Prize and the Austrian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Prize.
He is particularly committed to improving infection control and safe, sustainable healthcare outside Europe. He uses his expertise to support initiatives that promote the establishment of modern and hygienically safe dialysis centers in Africa—for greater equality in medical care and a dignified life for people with chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Florian Thalhammer is one of Austria's leading infectious disease specialists and a dedicated scientist with extensive clinical and academic experience. After studying medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, he specialized in infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and hospital hygiene. In addition to teaching at MedUni Vienna, he leads continuing education programs and is the founder of the well-known event series “Giftiger Dienstag” (Poisonous Tuesday), which has been an established platform for the exchange of medical knowledge for many years. The “Antibiotics & Anti-infectives” app he developed, which serves as a digital reference work for doctors and healthcare professionals on the use of antibiotics and anti-infectives, offers practical information on dosage, indications, pathogens, and adjustments for specific patient groups.
Dr. Thalhammer is a member of numerous international professional societies, ranging from the Austrian Society for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine to the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. He has received several awards for his scientific work, particularly in the field of antimicrobial therapies and infection prevention, including the Karl Hermann Spitzy Prize and the Austrian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Prize.
He is particularly committed to improving infection control and safe, sustainable healthcare outside Europe. He uses his expertise to support initiatives that promote the establishment of modern and hygienically safe dialysis centers in Africa—for greater equality in medical care and a dignified life for people with chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Michael Dobrovits
Specialist in urology and andrology, FEBU
Dr. Michael Dobrovits
Specialist in urology and andrology, FEBU
Dr. Michael Dobrovits is an experienced specialist in urology and andrology with a practice in Vienna's 18th district. In his work, he attaches great importance to personal, empathetic care and modern, individually tailored treatment methods. His comprehensive range of services includes prostate cancer screening, treatment of kidney diseases, and specialized andrological and pediatric urological care.
Dr. Dobrovits combines medical expertise with human care and ensures that his patients receive the best possible care in a pleasant and respectful atmosphere. His commitment to high-quality healthcare fits perfectly with the goals of PONYA Austria, which supports the establishment and promotion of dialysis centers in Africa. With his experience and attitude, Dr. Dobrovits is an important voice for better, sustainable care for chronically ill people, even in resource-poor regions.
Dr. Michael Dobrovits is an experienced specialist in urology and andrology with a practice in Vienna's 18th district. In his work, he attaches great importance to personal, empathetic care and modern, individually tailored treatment methods. His comprehensive range of services includes prostate cancer screening, treatment of kidney diseases, and specialized andrological and pediatric urological care.
Dr. Dobrovits combines medical expertise with human care and ensures that his patients receive the best possible care in a pleasant and respectful atmosphere. His commitment to high-quality healthcare fits perfectly with the goals of PONYA Austria, which supports the establishment and promotion of dialysis centers in Africa. With his experience and attitude, Dr. Dobrovits is an important voice for better, sustainable care for chronically ill people, even in resource-poor regions.
Legal Representation
Dr. Oliver Peschl
Attorney at Law Vienna
Dr. Oliver Peschel is a lawyer in Vienna and the deputy chairman of PONYA. He supports and advises PONYA on legal matters and has been an active member since the founding of the association in 2025. In his youth, Dr. Oliver Peschel worked as a volunteer in Africa multiple times, and he now continues this work within the framework of PONYA.
Dr. Oliver Peschl
Attorney at Law Vienna
Dr. Oliver Peschel is a lawyer in Vienna and the deputy chairman of PONYA. He supports and advises PONYA on legal matters and has been an active member since the founding of the association in 2025. In his youth, Dr. Oliver Peschel worked as a volunteer in Africa multiple times, and he now continues this work within the framework of PONYA.
Dr. Oliver Peschel is a registered lawyer and university lecturer in Vienna. He specializes in advising and representing private individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In his previous practice as a lawyer, he worked in both a small law firm and a large commercial law firm. Dr. Peschel attaches great importance to efficient and practical solutions for his clients. Thanks to his doctoral degree and his work as a university assistant at the University of Vienna, he advises and represents his clients with profound expertise and know-how. Dr. Oliver Peschel regularly gives lectures in his areas of expertise, teaches at Sigmund Freud Private University, and is the author of numerous legal articles that have been published in recognized journals.
Dr. Oliver Peschel is a registered lawyer and university lecturer in Vienna. He specializes in advising and representing private individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In his previous practice as a lawyer, he worked in both a small law firm and a large commercial law firm. Dr. Peschel attaches great importance to efficient and practical solutions for his clients. Thanks to his doctoral degree and his work as a university assistant at the University of Vienna, he advises and represents his clients with profound expertise and know-how. Dr. Oliver Peschel regularly gives lectures in his areas of expertise, teaches at Sigmund Freud Private University, and is the author of numerous legal articles that have been published in recognized journals.