The entire pain medicine team — led by Dr. Wolfgang Welke and consisting of five physicians and 17 additional staff — was seamlessly transferred under secure employment conditions. This move not only safeguarded jobs but significantly strengthened a critical area of modern healthcare.
As part of the integration, Dr. Welke succeeded Prof. Dr. Ralph Spintge, a pioneer of music medicine who shaped pain therapy at the site for decades and earned international recognition. By uniting two experienced and progressive teams, one of the region’s most capable centers for pain management is now taking shape under the roof of Sportklinik Hellersen — with a strong focus on patient-centered, interdisciplinary treatment.
Press
Strategic Integration with Foresight — Dirk Burghaus Expands Pain Medicine at Sportklinik Hellersen
With the full integration of the pain therapy department from Marienhospital Letmathe into Sportklinik Hellersen, Dirk Burghaus sent a clear signal: strategic growth, quality enhancement, and sustainable service provision — even in times when others are scaling back. While many clinics reduced services due to financial constraints, he chose a path of expansion, focused on interdisciplinary excellence and long-term care continuity.
