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.

„When we talk about the future of healthcare, it’s not just about beds and budgets. It’s about smart structures, reliable care, and preserving valuable medical expertise. That’s exactly what we’re doing here.“

Dirk Burghaus
Chairman of the Management Board Sportklinik Hellersen

The strategic rationale behind this decision also aligns with the future hospital planning framework in North Rhine-Westphalia. By expanding its pain medicine capabilities, the clinic is positioning itself early on within a system that increasingly values specialization — once again demonstrating the forward-thinking leadership Dirk Burghaus is known for.

 

Press article:
come-on.de (Märkischer Zeitungsverlag GmbH & Co. KG)
Sportklinik übernimmt gesamte Abteilung eines anderen Krankenhauses im MK

 

Press contact:
Sarah Burghaus
pr@dirk-burghaus.de