Top Medicine from Vienna – Globally Sought After & Valued

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Ebm, the Wiener Privatklinik has a turbulent history. Looking back, which stages were particularly formative?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: The origins date back to the 19th century, when the clinic, during the monarchy, was a center for gynecology. After massive cuts due to two world wars and several changes of ownership, the clinic faced bankruptcy in 1995. In this situation, a group of doctors took over the clinic – not only as physicians, but also as investors. This laid the groundwork for an independent, doctor-led clinic. Today, we are the only private hospital in Austria that operates completely independently. Our motto "from the medical profession for the medical profession" is more than just a slogan – it is a lived principle.

Wirtschaftsforum: How is your facility structured today, and what sets it apart from other institutions?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: We work with over 400 freelance attending physicians and about 100 medical offices directly on site. This is complemented by a small employed medical team for emergencies. We operate institutes for radiology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine – right up to liquid biopsies. With our own European Academic Cancer Center and the cross-border Tumor Board, we ensure the highest diagnostic and therapeutic quality. Our patient structure is unique: about 50% of the patients come from abroad, predominantly from Eastern Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Within the country, the physician is our primary customer. This dual focus shapes our strategy. The group also includes the Seniorenresidenz Schloss Liechtenstein in Maria Enzersdorf, which complements the medical offer with high-quality care.

Wirtschaftsforum: What economic development are you currently seeing?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: We achieve an annual turnover of over 77 million EUR exclusively from medical services and accommodation; medical fees are managed in trust. After the pandemic-induced downturn, we are growing significantly again. Currently, we are realizing our largest expansion: six new operating rooms – two of them as hybrid rooms – an intensive care unit, two wards with private rooms, and a service center for international patients. Additionally, spaces for research and medical partners are being developed on the neighboring property. In parallel, we are investing in digitalization and process optimization, also for administrative efficiency. Moreover, by taking over public patients, we relieve the healthcare system – out of responsibility, not profit motive.

Wirtschaftsforum: What is the secret of your success – especially internationally?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: Medical excellence comes first. According to the Stanford ranking, we have more than ten doctors working with us who rank among the top 2% worldwide – permanently, on a freelance basis. Our Scientific Board regularly reviews the quality and appropriateness of our medical offerings, ensuring that we capture medical megatrends early on. As the first private hospital in Austria, we were able to implement robot-assisted Da Vinci surgeries on the lung, as well as our own radiation therapy. This innovative strength is possible because we decide independently, act quickly, and consistently invest in quality. Our role as a diagnostic center with comprehensive treatment expertise in a private setting is our competitive advantage.

Wirtschaftsforum: How would you describe your corporate culture?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: We see ourselves as a large family with flat hierarchies, direct communication, and a high degree of personal responsibility. Our employees can work across different areas, from care services to administration. There are no rigid departments, but rather, flexible, dynamic structures. This makes us fast, adaptable, and resilient. We call ourselves the ‘WPK family’, and it is not just a term, but a lived reality. I myself started as an intern, later worked in controlling, procurement, and international project development – today I am the managing director, yet still part of a team that shares responsibility collectively. Our twelve-member marketing team is directly assigned to the management and is present on all relevant channels – a crucial factor for our international visibility.

Wirtschaftsforum: What vision do you have for the coming years, and what personally drives you?

Thomas-Peter Ebm: Our vision is clear: We aim to become Europe’s leading center for diagnostics and advanced medicine – not as a large corporation, but as a highly specialized, independent institution. Personally, this place is more than an employer to me: My father was one of the founding doctors. I grew up here, learned the business from the ground up. Today, I see it as my task to create an environment in which excellent medicine is possible – economically sustainable, humane, and strategically clear. This is not work in the traditional sense. It is a life project – and I do it with full passion, 365 days a year.