Doc Brügel
Calling Dr Ralf Brügel "just" a paediatrician hardly does justice to what he does. Although everything still revolves around children, the doctor is now more of a fighter for their interests.
If the Doc gave out a beer every time he appeared in the media (a so-called newspaper beer), then all the drinks markets in the Rems-Murr district would be sanitised. Because he is a regular contact for the media. Locally, regionally and beyond. As a paediatrician and as a spokesman for his guild in the Rems-Murr district. Sometimes in this capacity, sometimes in that, he provides explanations, makes demands - and sometimes instigates a strike. He also gives lectures all over the country and shares his knowledge digitally - more on this on the next page.
Why all this? Firstly, he wants to educate as many people as possible about paediatric medicine and pedagogy. Secondly, and more importantly, he sees himself as an advocate for children and young people. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that they need a strong public voice if they are not to be constantly neglected.
So if you come across the Doc somewhere for the umpteenth time, don't be annoyed. He's on the road on behalf of children.
Advice and action - online and offline
Sometimes you could be forgiven for thinking he's around more than once, because it feels like the doctor is everywhere. Not only in the media, but also online and at talks.
The weekly dose of Doc can be found in the "Tips from Doc", every Friday on our website as well as on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Videos and leaflets provide the most important information about children. A small reference book has been created on the website with all the tips neatly organised from A for adenoids to Z for compulsions.
Doc has also been an expert on the "All about babies" platform for some time now. Offline favourites are the talks on dealing with media that he gives with Katja Plieninger, media skills coach at the town of Schorndorf. Information sessions for educational staff in daycare centres and the like are also important to Doc. And even if it pushes him to his technical limits, he also gives online talks, e.g. for the Haus der Familie in Heilbronn, so that he doesn't just reach people from the Schorndorf area. And if required, he also speaks for health insurance companies, district savings banks and so on.
The big end is still to come: he is currently working on his first book...!