The Bridge Heads

Die BrückenKöpfe (also rendered as The Bridge Heads) is a German impact agency focused on the healthcare sector. According to its official website, it describes itself as an independent agency with clear values and a forward-looking perspective, working to build bridges between influential actors so that the urgently needed transformation of the German healthcare system can succeed. The agency positions itself as a facilitator of dialogue, debate, and compromise among stakeholders, aiming to close divides and align interests. The organization was founded by Jürgen Graalmann and Harm van Maanen, both of whom serve as founders and managing directors. Graalmann previously served as chairman of the board of the AOK-Bundesverband (the Federal Association of AOK health insurers) and held senior roles at BARMER; he is also an author of books, articles, and expert opinions, and is involved in the advisory board of the Füchse Berlin handball club. Van Maanen is described as focusing on the healthcare system and is characterized by an optimistic and open approach to debate. The agency's stated focus areas include creating a new regulatory framework for reliable and fair access to care, restoring trust in the healthcare system and politics, advancing patient orientation and new role models for actors, shifting discourse for greater effectiveness, and strengthening the German Nursing Day (Deutscher Pflegetag) initiated by the BrückenKöpfe to amplify the voice of nursing. Die BrückenKöpfe operates as a private, independent entity. Its work centers on concept development and participation in the health sector, as reflected in its Wikidata description. The agency is based in Germany and serves the German market.

Die BrückenKöpfe was founded as an independent impact agency in the German healthcare sector. Its founders, Jürgen Graalmann and Harm van Maanen, brought extensive experience to the venture. Graalmann had previously served as chairman of the board of the AOK-Bundesverband and held leading positions at BARMER; he is also an author of various books, articles, and expert opinions, and is engaged in the advisory board of the Füchse Berlin. Van Maanen is described as focusing on the healthcare system and is characterized by an optimistic outlook and openness to diverse perspectives. The agency was established with the aim of enabling the transformation of the German healthcare system by building bridges between influential actors. Its work includes creating a new regulatory framework for reliable and fair access to care, restoring trust in the healthcare system and politics, advancing patient orientation and new role models for actors, shifting discourse for greater effectiveness, and strengthening the German Nursing Day (Deutscher Pflegetag), which the BrückenKöpfe initiated, to amplify the voice of nursing. The exact founding year is not specified in the available evidence. The agency operates as a private, independent entity based in Germany, serving the German market.

Independent impact agency in the German healthcare sector, building bridges between influential stakeholders to enable transformation.

• Healthcare policy consulting

  Advisory services focused on healthcare system transformation.

• Stakeholder dialogue facilitation

  Building bridges and aligning interests among influential actors.

• Deutscher Pflegetag (German Nursing Day)

  An event initiated by the BrückenKöpfe to strengthen the voice of nursing.

1. 1Die BrückenKöpfe official websitebrueckenkoepfe.de
2. 2Wikidata entry for The bridge headswikidata.org