Renowned successor for internal medicine at the Helios St. Anna site
On April 1, Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Frieling took over the management of the Medical Clinic for Internal Medicine at the Helios clinic site St. Anna in Huckingen. The internationally renowned expert succeeds Prof. Martin Wegener, who passed away in January.
It took some time for the department of the St. Anna Medical Clinic to regroup and regain its confidence. The loss of Chief Physician Prof. Martin Wegener, who passed away unexpectedly at the beginning of the year, weighed heavily. "It was important for us to give everyone involved enough time and then find a suitable and experienced successor who would give the team a motivating perspective," says Claudia Meßthaler, Clinic Managing Director of the Duisburg Helios sites.
When the new name on board is announced, it quickly becomes clear that this has been successful: Prof. Thomas Frieling, a medical heavyweight, moved across the Rhine on April 1st. The renowned expert has more than 30 years of clinical experience and was Head of Internal Medicine at Helios Hospital Krefeld until the end of last year, where he is still involved in an advisory capacity. Over the course of his impressive career, the Cologne native has made a name for himself particularly in the treatment of and research into the "abdominal brain", endoscopy and neurogastroenterology. He is the founder of the Foundation for Neurogastroenterology and the Institute for Neurogastroenterology Abdominal Consultation (INGA), has received several scientific awards and has published more than 500 papers. His CV even includes a Spiegel bestseller ("Gut to Brain"). After studying medicine in Düsseldorf, the now sought-after expert first went to the USA before returning to the clinic at Heinrich Heine University, where he was appointed Professor of Internal Medicine after working as a senior physician. In 2000, he took over the post of Chief Physician in Krefeld.
As part of his work, Prof. Thomas Frieling also got to know and appreciate Prof. Martin Wegener:
"It is therefore a great pleasure for me to continue the department in Duisburg in his spirit. He has built up and expanded it excellently with enormous expertise and passion."
He now wants to continue this work, focusing in particular on interventional endoscopy and the holistic approach to functional gastrointestinal complaints in the context of neurogastroenterology. He is also keen to expand cooperation with colleagues in private practice as well as the comprehensive training and further education of junior doctors. "A good team structure and trusting collaboration is always a priority for me." The aim is to further develop the department in the long term and also to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with other specialties.
"It should no longer be a secret that the core of my specialty, the gastrointestinal tract, is closely linked to all other areas of the body. This means that we regularly think outside the box,"
– smiles Thomas Frieling.
Second Managing Director Birger Meßthaler makes no secret of the fact that he is a stroke of luck for the Duisburg site: "We were really delighted when we received Prof. Frieling's confirmation. He brings so much excellent specialist knowledge and management experience with him that it will be an absolute asset to our location."
