Since 2019, Steffen Branz has been working in the Staff Unit for Personnel Development at KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH and took over overall responsibility for the department in 2022. The service network operates ten hospitals, three elderly care facilities, two child and youth welfare facilities, four kindergartens, and numerous outpatient medical care practices, employing a total of around 7,500 staff members.

Steffen Branz trained as a healthcare and nursing professional and gained experience in operating room nursing, as a specialist coordinator for orthopedics/trauma surgery, and as a nursing expert in the areas of digitalization and professionalization of nursing. Alongside his work, he studied Health and Social Management at FOM and complemented his profile with a Master’s degree in Medical Management.

As project manager, in 2024 he led the ten hospitals of KERN within the kernflex service network to achieve cross-location systemic flexibility in working hours and, during this time, decided to pursue a doctorate (Dr. rer. medic.) on the topic of planning, implementation, and evaluation of systemic flex pools in German hospitals.