Establishment of the centers for intensive care medicine provides new and forward-looking impetus for the further development of intensive care medicine in Germany. However, for the new organizational model to be implemented effectively, the necessary restructuring measures must be adequately refinanced and supported by hospital management and medical faculties. In addition, a sustained willingness for interdisciplinary and interprofessional cooperation is required on the part of all those involved, and employees in this model must be offered attractive long-term positions in intensive care medicine.