International certification highlights German training excellence
The Sportklinik Hellersen has been certified by the Arab Board of Health Specializations and is the first hospital in the world outside the Arab states to receive permission to train Arab specialists in orthopaedics and trauma surgery. Until now, this specialist training has only taken place in the 22 member states of the Arab Board. The board coordinates training at numerous institutions in the member states. The Sportklinik Hellersen is thus establishing itself as an international competence center for cutting-edge orthopaedic medicine with global appeal.
The certification gives the Sportklinik Hellersen a unique selling point: it offers a combined training program that allows doctors to obtain both the German and the Arabic specialist title during their training. Previously, an additional training pathway was required for recognition in another country.
"This development opens up a significant opportunity for us, as specialists from the Arab world like to come to us. They are highly motivated and have a promising medical future. We see ourselves not only as a regional hospital, but also as a specialized center of excellence for modern orthopaedics with international appeal. The certification confirms the quality of our clinical structures, our surgical expertise and our training culture," says Dirk Burghaus, CEO of Sportklinik Hellersen. "The certification draws worldwide attention to a small rural region like Lüdenscheid. This benefits the entire South Westphalia region and the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia," adds Dirk Burghaus.
As part of the two-year certification process, a delegation of five senior physicians from various Arab Board member countries conducted several site visits. The delegation gained a comprehensive picture of the structures, processes and quality of care at the Sportklinik Hellersen. The evaluation focused in particular on surgical case numbers, specialist supervision, the clinic's scientific involvement and compliance with internationally comparable training standards. The participation of the Sportklinik Hellersen in the international congress in Cairo in November 2025, with operations performed in Lüdenscheid and broadcast live to Cairo, was another milestone that convinced the Arab Board of the high level of professional expertise of the Sportklinik Hellersen.
"The approval of a German hospital as a training center for orthopaedics means a high-quality transfer of knowledge in the clinical training of orthopaedic surgeons. We are delighted about the successful completion of the certification and the start of training at the Sportklinik Hellersen," says Prof. Mohamed Elashhab, representing the Arab Board. Ahmed Almousa, the Sportklinik Hellersen representative for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, has been appointed academic director of the Arab Board program at the Sportklinik Hellersen.
"Our main goal is to provide the best possible care for our patients. That's why we rely on international partnerships. The United Arab Emirates in particular play a pioneering role in the field of innovative medicine. We want to bring this knowledge to Germany and at the same time strengthen the international reputation of the Sportklinik Hellersen," says Dirk Burghaus.
“International partnerships, such as those with the Arab Board, and innovative models like the dual specialty training program make the Hellersen Sports Clinic a beacon with international appeal. Such facilities are crucial if North Rhine-Westphalia wants to present itself as a modern, high-performing sports hub and launch a compelling Olympic bid,” emphasizes Stefan Klett, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Sports Federation and of Sporthilfe NRW e.V., the organization that operates the Sportklinik Hellersen.
In addition to its international appeal, the combined specialist training will also sustainably strengthen the supply of specialists in Germany, as highly qualified doctors can be retained at the location in the long term. The clinic is currently in the process of finding candidates so that practical implementation can begin soon.
Press contact
Sarah Burghaus
Head of Marketing, PR & Customer Service, Press Officer
sarah.burghaus@hellersen.de
Marketing & PR
marketing@hellersen.de
