Since 2017, the Sportklinik Hellersen has been under the strategic leadership of Dirk Burghaus (Chairman of the Board). With Dr. Gunnar Markert (left) as head of the newly created “AI, Automation & Digital Transformation” department, the specialty clinic is now setting the course to translate innovative ideas into concrete AI projects in everyday clinical practice. © Sportklinik Hellersen
Following TOP 100 Recognition: Hellersen Sports Clinic Embarks on the Next Stage of Innovation
The Sportklinik Hellersen remains on a course of innovation: Following its inclusion in the TOP 100 of Germany’s most innovative medium-sized companies, the specialty clinic is now further expanding its role as a driver of innovation in the healthcare sector with a newly created “AI, Automation & Digital Transformation” department. The goal is to systematically transfer the innovative drive from strategic leadership into day-to-day hospital operations—to simplify processes and thereby create tangible added value for employees and patient care.
The German healthcare system is under pressure to reform and is simultaneously undergoing a profound transformation driven by digitalization. As a result, the ability to innovate and adapt is becoming increasingly important in the hospital sector. “The healthcare sector has been facing challenging structural changes for quite some time now,” notes Dirk Burghaus, Chairman of the Executive Board of Sportklinik Hellersen since 2017. “In light of growing demographic and economic demands, we began early on to integrate social and technological change as an integral part of our medical and organizational development. With the new strategic planning unit, we are now setting the course to translate innovative ideas from strategic leadership into concrete projects in an even more targeted manner.”
TOP-100 Innovation Ranking Confirms Strength
in Innovation The specialized clinic for orthopedics, trauma surgery, sports medicine, and joint replacement was awarded the TOP-100 seal as early as the beginning of 2026 for its strength in innovation and the high level of maturity of its existing innovation and digitalization structures. Since 1993, the innovation competition has recognized companies that do not leave innovation to chance, but rather systematically develop it, structurally embed it, and integrate it sustainably into their organization. A central question in the evaluation was whether innovations are based on structures that foster innovation, innovation-oriented leadership, and a sustainable corporate culture. A total of 356 companies submitted applications for the 33rd edition of the scientific selection process, which included more than 100 evaluation criteria across five analysis areas. Ultimately, 282 medium-sized companies prevailed across three size categories.
The Sportklinik Hellersen stood out in Size Class C (over 200 employees), particularly in the area of innovation success. The introduction of robot-assisted procedures in endoprosthetic care and the establishment of an international medical cooperation network in the Middle East region were highlighted as key drivers of the innovation strategy. Since 2023, the specialized clinic has been gaining important insights through global knowledge exchange for the further development of its care structures, by adapting its German quality and training concepts to healthcare systems that already consistently utilize AI-supported processes and centrally accessible patient data. The sports clinic also received very high ratings in the areas of “Top Management Promoting Innovation” and “External Orientation / Open Innovation.” The clinic also achieved a very high level in the categories “Innovation Climate” and “Innovative Processes and Organization.”
The award takes on additional significance given the field of TOP 100 participants: Traditionally, the TOP 100 competition has been dominated by companies in IT, plant and mechanical engineering, skilled trades, and electrical engineering—the healthcare sector accounted for only 2.8 percent of the field in 2026. With just two institutions, hospitals and clinics accounted for less than one percent of all award winners. “This underscores that innovation is still the exception rather than the norm in the hospital sector,” emphasizes Dirk Burghaus. “The fact that we made it into the TOP 100 right off the bat confirms our innovative strength and, at the same time, shows just how special this award is for a clinic.”
Innovation as a Continuous Development Process
In addition to highlighting our strengths, participating in the innovation competition also provided valuable starting points for the next stage of development. “The results of our innovation assessment clearly show us where we are already strong—and also reinforce our current effort to structurally expand the hospital’s innovative capacity through the new staff unit,” explains Burghaus. The focus here is particularly on the targeted use of artificial intelligence and automation to further develop clinical and administrative processes, as well as on more closely involving employees in innovation and improvement processes.
Innovation means more than just technical advancements. The word is derived from the Latin term “innovare” (“to renew”) and describes the targeted introduction and use of new ideas and methods that further develop structures, processes, and ways of working and have a tangible impact on everyday hospital life. “For us, innovation is not a one-time project, but a continuous process that has a lasting impact on our organization, culture, and strategy,” confirms Dirk Burghaus. “Only those who view change as a lasting opportunity for growth can actively help shape the future of healthcare. AI helps us use existing resources more effectively in the face of rising costs, increasing bureaucracy, and a shortage of skilled workers.”
New Staff Unit Promotes Improvements in Day-to-Day Hospital Operations
Digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence are opening up new possibilities for making processes more efficient, tailoring treatment plans to individual needs, and working with even greater foresight and precision in the medical field. Dr. Gunnar Markert, an experienced application expert, began work in early June as head of the newly created “AI, Automation & Digital Transformation” department. Dr. Markert, who holds a Ph.D. in industrial engineering, began working with models and methods considered precursors to today’s AI systems some 20 years ago. Most recently, he worked for a leading provider of AI agent solutions, supporting customers worldwide on their journey toward digital transformation.
“Despite all the digitalization, people remain at the center,” emphasizes the new department head, Gunnar Markert. “For us, innovation means integrating medical quality, modern technologies, and practical improvements into everyday hospital life—always with the goal of advancing patient care and providing tangible support to patients and staff alike.” To identify specific AI use cases in everyday hospital practice, all employees are being involved in the process. “Based on this, our next step will be to prioritize suitable projects and prepare pilot phases and user training,” explains Gunnar Markert. “After all, digital transformation can only succeed if it is developed from a practical perspective.”
Press Contact
Sarah Burghaus
Head of Marketing, PR & Customer Service, Press Spokesperson
sarah.burghaus@hellersen.de
Marketing & PR
marketing@hellersen.de
