Pioneer of paediatric intensive care medicine with a rare dual qualification
Dr Gert Warncke, Head of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine at Magdeburg Children's University Hospital, has achieved a rare dual qualification: in addition to his specialist qualification in paediatric and adolescent medicine, he has now also passed the examination to become a specialist in anaesthesiology. This makes him one of a small group of highly specialised doctors in Germany - and strengthens the innovative Magdeburg model of paediatric intensive care medicine with his unique expertise.
Dr Gert Warncke, Chief Physician and Head of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine at Magdeburg Children's University Hospital, successfully passed his specialist examination in anaesthesiology at the Saxony-Anhalt Medical Association on 12 May 2025. This makes him one of only a few doctors in Germany who combine the specialist qualifications for paediatric and adolescent medicine and anaesthesiology. This unique combination underlines his outstanding expertise and strengthens the care of critically ill children in Magdeburg.
Photo: Dr Gert Warncke, Chief Physician and Head of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine at the University Children's Hospital Magdeburg. Photographer: Sarah Kossmann/UMMD
‘Combining paediatric and adolescent medicine with anaesthesiology enables us to provide more holistic care for our young patients, particularly in intensive care,’ explains Dr Warncke. ‘This dual qualification allows me to understand the needs of critically ill children even more precisely and to develop innovative treatment approaches.’
Dr Warncke adds: "The Magdeburg model of paediatric intensive care medicine thrives on close cooperation between the specialist areas. My additional training in anaesthesiology is a further step towards deepening this cooperation and sustainably improving the quality of care at Magdeburg Children's University Hospital."
The Magdeburg Model is a concept for paediatric intensive care medicine at the Magdeburg site, which emphasises intensive cooperation between the paediatric intensive care unit and the Clinic for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy (KAIT). The focus of the close cooperation between the two clinics (Paediatric Clinic and KAIT) is to ensure stable care for critically ill children in the north of Saxony-Anhalt at the highest level of quality. The dovetailing of paediatric and anaesthesiological expertise ensures interdisciplinary care that sets new standards in clinical practice as well as in training, research and teaching.
The entire UMMD congratulates Dr Warncke on this outstanding success and looks forward to further collaboration in order to continuously improve the care of young patients.