In April 1979, the Földi Clinic was founded as a specialized lymphology clinic in Feldberg-Altglashütten. The Haus Sommerberg, a former spa facility of a savings bank with 60 beds, was leased by the physician couple Prof. Dr. med. Michael and Prof. Dr. med. Etelka Földi.

After appropriate renovations, the clinic was approved for patient care according to § 30 GWO and was recognized as a specialized hospital by healthcare providers according to § 184 RVO. Within a very short time, the demand for lymphological treatment increased, leading to the additional rental of a hotel near the clinic with 22 beds (Haus Brunk).

At that time, the medical staff consisted of 4 doctors, 8 nurses, and 14 therapists. These were years of improvisation, and there was a pioneering spirit: patients were delighted about the newly created opportunity to treat their lymphedema in a specialized clinic.

Similarly, the treating physicians and therapists increasingly gained lymphological experience and optimized individual diagnostic and treatment strategies. During this time, the interdisciplinary principle of lymphological patient care was already established: patients with secondary lymphedema after cancer therapies were treated in cooperation with the oncological center of the University Hospital Freiburg.

Lymphoscintigraphies and other imaging examinations were performed at the District Hospital Emmendingen.

In 1979, Prof. E. Földi received statutory health insurance authorization for lymphological consultations, making outpatient lymphedema treatment possible in addition to inpatient care. Manual lymphatic drainage was supplemented with additional measures in the clinic and established as Complex Decongestive Therapy.

Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is now recognized as the foundation of conservative lymphedema treatment, embedded within a comprehensive internal medicine concept.

The therapeutic successes were convincing. Numerous doctors from Germany and abroad visited the specialized clinic, as did hospital operators and health politicians; the plan was to establish a model clinic, supported by federal and state governments, which the clinic founders welcomed.
After this plan failed in Stuttgart, the clinic management took their own initiative and, without shying away from risks, ensured the further development of the specialized lymphology clinic:

The Földi couple acquired the Hotel Weißes Rössle in Hinterzarten, which at the time had 96 beds. After extensive renovation work, the Földi Clinic was able to reopen its doors there on September 24, 1986. In line with the new requirements, the number of employees increased: 7 doctors, 15 nurses, 24 physiotherapists, and service personnel.

The expansion of the clinic was reflected not only in the increase in the number of beds but also in the optimization of the interdisciplinary treatment of our patients.

The demand for therapy places continued to grow. Despite the first healthcare reform laws in 1989, plans for expanding the Földi Clinic by 37 beds were submitted to the healthcare providers. As a result, a new ward was able to open in 1992.

The second expansion phase also began with 37 beds in 2003/2004. Today, the Földi Clinic has 152 beds across 4 wards, which have been named after pioneers of lymphology. From the beginning, the Földi Clinic has always been characterized by team spirit and a good atmosphere among its now 170 employees.

The collaboration with the University Hospital Freiburg has expanded, and a cooperation agreement has been signed.

Within the clinic, various specializations have been established, such as pediatric lymphology, i.e., the care of children with congenital lymphedema; oncological lymphology, i.e., the care of patients with secondary lymphedema after cancer; and geriatric lymphology, i.e., the care of elderly patients with lymphedema and typically numerous comorbidities.

Another focus area of the Földi Clinic is the interdisciplinary care of patients with obesity-related lymphedema. Comprehensive dietary counseling, exercise programs, and psychological support have been established.