University Hospital Essen

University Hospital Essen (Universitätsklinikum Essen), founded in 1909 and affiliated with the University of Duisburg-Essen, is a major academic medical center in Germany's Ruhr metropolitan area. With approximately 1,300 beds, KTQ and ISO accreditations, and over 9,000 employees, the hospital serves as a tertiary referral center for the most complex medical cases in western Germany and beyond. Essen's strategic location in the Ruhr region, one of Europe's most densely populated areas, provides access to a large and diverse patient population. Oncology at University Hospital Essen is anchored by the West German Cancer Center (Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum, WTZ), one of Germany's 13 designated oncological centers of excellence. The WTZ provides comprehensive cancer care through molecular tumor boards, precision oncology with genomic profiling, immunotherapy including checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies, advanced radiation therapy with the West German Proton Therapy Centre (WPE), and surgical oncology across all tumor types. The WPE is one of Germany's leading proton therapy facilities, treating patients with tumors requiring ultra-precise radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Cardiac Sciences encompass the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Department of Cardiology, together performing thousands of procedures annually. Services include coronary bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement (including transcatheter approaches), aortic surgery, heart transplantation, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and cardiac imaging. The hospital is one of the Eurotransplant-affiliated heart transplant centers. Organ Transplantation at Essen is one of the hospital's signature programs. The Transplant Center performs kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, and lung transplantation with volumes that place it among Germany's most active transplant programs. The kidney transplant program includes living donor transplantation and ABO-incompatible protocols. The liver transplant program manages the full spectrum from acute liver failure through chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Neurosciences encompass neurology and neurosurgery, with services including brain tumor surgery with fluorescence-guided resection, cerebrovascular surgery, functional neurosurgery, epilepsy surgery, and spinal neurosurgery. The Stroke Unit provides 24-hour acute stroke management with endovascular thrombectomy capability. The Department of Neurology has particular expertise in neuro-oncology and neurological complications of cancer treatment. Orthopedics provides joint replacement surgery, sports medicine, trauma surgery, and complex reconstruction. The department is integrated with the BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil for the management of severe occupational injuries and complex trauma cases. Gastroenterology offers advanced endoscopic procedures, hepatology with liver transplant assessment, inflammatory bowel disease management, and gastrointestinal oncology. The department works closely with the WTZ for the management of gastrointestinal cancers. Nephrology manages one of the Ruhr region's largest dialysis programs and provides comprehensive pre- and post-transplant kidney care. Fertility services include IVF, ICSI, and reproductive medicine at the Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine. Robotic Surgery is available across urology, gynecology, and general surgery departments. Dermatology at Essen is nationally recognized, with particular expertise in skin cancer (the university hosts the German Skin Cancer Consortium), autoimmune skin diseases, and allergology. The International Patient Management department provides multilingual coordination in English, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, and French, with medical second opinions, treatment planning, accommodation assistance, and post-treatment follow-up. Essen's location in the Ruhr metropolitan area offers excellent transportation connections, with Düsseldorf Airport just 25 minutes away and high-speed train connections to all major German cities. Treatment costs offer excellent value within Germany, with university hospital pricing that is typically more accessible than comparable institutions in Munich or Berlin.