Behind the scenes at the hospital: The service centre Operating theatres and intensive care unit as a central hub - an interview with Dr Daniela Gresch and Vera Sobieralski
Dr. med. Daniela Gresch
January 28, 2026
10 min
At Zollikerberg Hospital, high-quality medical care requires strong structures in the background. The Operating Theatres and Intensive Care Unit Service Centre (DLZ) ensures that hospital operations run smoothly with clear processes, a high level of expertise and committed employees. This is what Dr Daniela Gresch and Vera Sobieralski, who jointly manage the Operating Theatres and Intensive Care Unit Service Centre, stand for. With different perspectives, many years of experience and a shared understanding of leadership, they organise central services for the entire hospital. In this interview, they give an insight into their work, their collaboration and the role of the Operating Theatres and Intensive Care Unit Service Centre for quality, efficiency and humanity in everyday hospital life.
The DLZ has dual management. What motivates you both to take on this responsibility together and what do you think makes this form of management particularly effective?
Joint management is based on the fundamental ideas of interprofessionalism, equality and mutual support. Through regular dialogue, we pool our perspectives and skills, make well-founded decisions and always act in the interests of our patients and employees. This form of leadership strengthens quality, promotes dialogue and makes our organisation more resilient.
What role does the Service Centre play in everyday life at Zollikerberg Hospital - and what specific contribution does it make to the quality of patient care?
The Service Centre is closely networked with all clinics and acts as a central interface. With modern infrastructure, up-to-date anaesthesia procedures and standardised processes - such as the WHO checklists - we make an important contribution to maximum patient safety and the high quality of care.
You have different professional backgrounds and strengths. How do you complement each other in joint management and how do the team and organisation benefit from this?
Our differences in age, experience and profession are a strength. They enable us to look at issues from different perspectives and complement each other in a meaningful way. This benefits not only the management, but especially the team, which benefits from clear decisions, broad expertise and a balanced management culture.
Dr Gresch, you have been at Zollikerberg Hospital for around 100 days. What impressions have you gained during this time and what impetus have you already been able to provide?
When I started, I found a very motivated and extremely competent anaesthesia team and I also really appreciate the open, committed exchange with colleagues from other specialist disciplines.
Overall, I received an open and appreciative welcome at Zollikerberg Hospital right from the start. The first impulses in the area of digitalisation have already been implemented, particularly in premedication. This includes the offer of a telephone anaesthesia consultation, which noticeably relieves both patients and processes.
What current challenges are the DLZ currently facing the most, and how are you tackling them together?
The current focus is on recruiting and retaining qualified staff and the increasing economic complexity resulting from changes in hospital financing. We are tackling these challenges together by setting clear priorities, further developing processes and actively maintaining dialogue with all those involved.
Looking ahead: What priorities and goals have you set for the further development of the DLZ in the coming years?
Our aim is to ensure and further develop the high quality of service in close collaboration with our clinics and attending physicians. At the same time, we want to support and establish forward-looking projects in order to be able to offer a reliable, modern and high-quality service in all areas of the DLZ in the long term.
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