University Hospital Freiburg

University Hospital Freiburg (Universitätsklinikum Freiburg), founded in 1457, is one of Germany's oldest and most distinguished university hospitals. Located in the picturesque city of Freiburg im Breisgau in southwestern Germany near the Black Forest, the hospital operates approximately 1,600 beds across 14 specialized departments and employs over 15,000 staff. With KTQ and ISO accreditations and affiliation with the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, the hospital combines centuries of medical tradition with cutting-edge clinical innovation and research. Cardiac Sciences at University Hospital Freiburg are delivered through the renowned Heart Center Freiburg (Universitäts-Herzzentrum Freiburg-Bad Krozingen), one of Germany's largest and most experienced cardiac centers. The Heart Center performs over 4,000 cardiac procedures annually, including coronary bypass surgery, complex valve reconstruction and replacement, Ross procedures, aortic surgery, heart transplantation, and congenital heart surgery. The interventional cardiology program handles over 6,000 catheterizations per year, with expertise in complex PCI, structural heart interventions, and transcatheter valve therapies. Oncology at Freiburg operates through the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), a designated center of excellence providing multidisciplinary cancer care. Services include molecular diagnostics and precision oncology, advanced immunotherapy, stereotactic radiation therapy, surgical oncology, and access to over 300 active clinical trials. The hematology department is internationally recognized for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, performing over 200 transplants annually with excellent outcomes. Neurosciences encompass a full-spectrum neurology department and neurosurgery with expertise in brain tumor surgery using intraoperative MRI and fluorescence guidance, epilepsy surgery with intracranial monitoring, cerebrovascular surgery, deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, and complex spinal surgery. The department collaborates with the Brain Links-Brain Tools research cluster for translational neuroscience. Orthopedics offers joint replacement with navigated and robotic-assisted techniques, sports medicine, arthroscopy, spine surgery, and orthopedic tumor surgery. The department is particularly strong in complex reconstruction and revision surgery. Organ Transplantation at Freiburg includes kidney, liver, pancreas, and lung transplantation, with the hospital serving as a major transplant center for the Upper Rhine region. Gastroenterology provides advanced endoscopic procedures including EUS, ERCP, therapeutic endoscopy, hepatology with liver transplant assessment, and inflammatory bowel disease management. Fertility services include IVF, ICSI, and reproductive surgery at the Division of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology. Robotic Surgery is utilized in urology, gynecology, and general surgery, with the urological robotic program being particularly established. Ophthalmology at Freiburg is one of Germany's leading eye centers, with expertise in corneal transplantation, retinal surgery, ocular oncology, and refractive surgery. Spine Surgery provides the full range from minimally invasive discectomy through complex deformity correction and spinal tumor surgery. The International Patient Office provides comprehensive coordination for foreign patients including multilingual support in English, Arabic, Russian, French, and Turkish, medical second opinions, treatment planning, accommodation in Freiburg, and post-discharge telemedicine follow-up. Freiburg's location near the French and Swiss borders makes it easily accessible from Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport and major European cities. The city's mild climate, beautiful natural surroundings in the Black Forest, and high quality of life make it an ideal recovery destination. Treatment costs are competitive within Germany, offering excellent value compared to Swiss or US institutions.