Ulrike von Arnim Assumes EUREOS Presidency
Ulrike von Arnim has served on the EUREOS Steering Committee since 2020. In October 2025, she will succeed Alfredo Lucendo as President of the association. Time to ask her a few questions!
As we move forward, I am excited to continue building on the strong foundations of EUREOS and to work together toward better care and outcomes for patients with EoE across Europe. Ulrike von Arnim, EUREOS President.
Read the full interview with Ulrike further below.

EUREOS is a European non-profit society, founded in 2013. Its aim is to create and maintain a network and communication platform for physicians and researchers dealing with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs)—in particular eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but also other eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.
I have always believed in the power of collaboration. Serving on the Steering Committee since 2020 and being a founding member in 2013, I have seen firsthand how much progress can be achieved when experts work together across disciplines and borders. Taking on the presidency is both an honor and an opportunity to help shape the next stage of EUREOS’ growth.
My vision is to strengthen EUREOS as the leading platform for knowledge exchange and clinical guidance in EoE and other EGIDs. Concretely, this means three important steps ahead: first, planning and launching the inaugural EUREOS Congress, which will provide a dedicated forum for scientific exchange. Second, coordinating recommendations for a structured European EoE- transition process, to ensure seamless care for our EoE patients as they move from pediatric to adult services. And third, fostering an even closer collaboration with the United European Gastroenterology (UEG), so that EUREOS is more strongly integrated into the wider gastroenterology community in Europe. At the same time, I want us to expand our educational programs, foster research collaborations, and ensure that patients’ voices are heard. Ultimately, I hope EUREOS will bring us closer to truly personalized care for people living with EoE.
I diagnosed my first EoE patient in 1999, and since then this disease has never let me go. In the early years, the scientific community often responded with incomprehension and even denial of EoE as a real condition. It took a great deal of persuasion and persistence to have it recognized as a genuine disease. EoE is also a fascinating condition because it sits at the intersection of immunology, gastroenterology, pediatric and allergy. Early in my career, I met patients whose lives were deeply affected by EoE, and I realized how much was still unknown. That combination of scientific conviction, curiosity, and clinical need drew me in and has kept me committed ever since.
One of the greatest challenges is ensuring timely diagnosis and effective long-term management. Many patients still face delays in getting diagnosed, and treatment approaches can vary widely. We need to harmonize guidelines, improve access to care, and continue to raise awareness among healthcare providers and our patients. Another important point is that among healthcare professionals, the awareness that EoE is a chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease is still not as strong as it should be. There remains a clear need for further scientific information and education in this regard.
The question I hear most often is: “How long will I need to stay on my diet, or how long will I have to take my medication?” It reflects the uncertainty that many patients feel when faced with a chronic condition. I appreciate this question because it opens the door to discuss the long-term nature of EoE, the importance of individualized treatment strategies, and the encouraging fact that therapy can make a real difference in maintaining quality of life.
I think I would be a dolphin. They are social, intelligent, and move gracefully through their environment. Plus, they always seem to be having fun while working as a team.
I enjoy long walks in nature—it helps me reset and clear my head. I also love spending time with my family and cooking together; food brings people together in the best way, which feels especially meaningful when you work in the field of EoE. And knitting is something I love to do when I get a moment to myself.
I would like to express my gratitude to Alfredo Lucendo and my colleagues from the steering committee for his outstanding leadership. As we move forward, I am excited to continue building on the strong foundations of EUREOS and to work together toward better care and outcomes for patients with EoE across Europe.
Short Bio
Ulrike von Arnim is a graduate in Medicine from the University of Düsseldorf (1987–1994) and earned a Doctor of Medicine (Ph.D.) from the University of Magdeburg in 2017.
She holds a postgraduate qualification as a Specialist in Gastroenterology (2007). Currently, she serves as the leading senior physician in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital Magdeburg, where she also heads the outpatient clinic.
Ulrike von Arnim is an active member of several professional societies, including DGVS, MGG (Advisory Board Member 2012–2017), EUREOS (Steering Committee Member since 2020), and Kompetenznetz Darmerkrankungen e.V. She has contributed to the development of both European and German guidelines on eosinophilic esophagitis.
Her research focuses on eosinophilic esophagitis and inflammatory bowel diseases.