The Kiel Pain Clinic has once again been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the German Society for Pain Medicine (DGS) at the German Pain and Palliative Care Day 2026 in Frankfurt am Main. This successfully extends its existing designation as a "DGS Center of Excellence for Headaches".

The award recognizes the supraregional importance of the Kiel Pain Clinic in the care of patients with chronic pain, as well as its leading role in migraine and headache therapy. The German Pain Society (DGS) presents the award to institutions distinguished by outstanding scientific expertise, innovative treatment concepts, and high-quality care.

The Kiel Pain Clinic, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, fulfills these criteria in a particularly outstanding way. Since its founding in 1997 as a scientific model project, the clinic has developed into a leading national center for headache medicine. A key feature is its integrative, multimodal treatment concept, which is consistently based on current scientific findings and aims to provide lasting pain relief and improve the quality of life and participation of those affected.

Furthermore, the Kiel Pain Clinic is heavily involved in research, teaching, and the development of innovative care structures. This includes, in particular, the establishment of a nationwide migraine and headache treatment network, enabling coordinated and comprehensive care. Digital services and scientific publications also contribute to setting new standards in pain medicine.

The designation as a DGS Center of Excellence is awarded for three years at a time and underscores the sustainable quality and continuous development of the institution. The renewed confirmation in 2026 is therefore a significant signal of the Kiel Pain Clinic's ongoing excellence in patient care and scientific research.

The official presentation of the certificate to Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel by the President of the DGS, Dr. Richard Ibrahim, took place during the congress and documents the close connection between clinical practice, scientific expertise and health policy commitment.