Prof. Dr. Joachim Bauer
Internist, psychiatrist and specialist in psychotherapeutic medicine at the University Medical Center Freiburg
Joachim Bauer is an internist, psychiatrist and specialist in psychotherapeutic medicine at the University Medical Centre Freiburg. He has held the post of Professor of Psychoneuroimmunology since 1992. He heads the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine at the University Medical Centre Freiburg.
In his field of scientific research, Dr Bauer has studied the immune system as well as various neurobiological issues.
His scientific interests are the neurobiological correlations in
interpersonal relationships. In 1996 he received the "Organon Research Award of the German Society of Biological Psychiatry for discovering the involvement of immune system messengers in Alzheimer's disease". Joachim Bauer has published more than 100 scientific papers. His books are also written to be understandable by lay persons.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Belliger
Vice-Rector of Services at the Lucerne University of Teacher Education and member of the university administration
As Vice-Rector of the Lucerne University of Teacher Education with over 650 students, Prof. Dr. Andrea Belliger has been a member of the Executive Board and held a senior management position for eight years. She researches, teaches and also advises organisations on trends and changes in social communication behaviour and on digital transformation, particularly in the fields of education, administration and healthcare. Ms Belliger sits on the Supervisory Board of two Swiss companies.
Helmut Bernt
Director of Nursing Services, Entlisberg Nursing Center
Helmut Bernt has worked at the Entlisberg Nursing Centre for three years. He has held various management positions in nursing services for over 20 years. His predominant clinical experience is in neurorehabilitation and acute psychiatry.
The Entlisberg Nursing Centre has 320 beds, divided between 16 sections. Besides nursing care and residential sections, the centre offers various specialist fields like geriatric psychiatry, transitional care, dementia care and a day-care centre.
Dr. Gabi Bieri
President of the Commission for Long-Term Care in the SFGG (Swiss Society for Geriatrics), Head Physician for Geriatric Services in Zurich, Medical Director of Zurich Care Centers
Gabriela Bieri is a specialist in general internal medicine whose special interest is geriatrics. She has been involved for years with the Swiss Society for Geriatric Medicine in the interests of long-term geriatrics. As the medical director of nursing centres, she together with a team of 30 doctors is responsible for the 1600 long-term care beds in the city of Zurich. These include 80 transitional care beds, day-care centres, the Memory Clinic Entlisberg and the SiL Gerontological Information Centre with its dementia assessment and advisory services. Gabriela Bieri is also responsible for the medical supervision of three further institutions in the city.
Dr. Christine Bourquin
Pharmacist, TopPharm pharmacies
Christine Bourquin, a pharmacist, together with the teams from both of her Aarberg-based pharmacies is responsible for the pharmaceutical care of around 500 residents in two large residential and nursing homes in the surrounding area. She is also the contact person at TopPharm for all matters relating to the cooperation between pharmacies and nursing homes. The TopPharm cooperative is an amalgamation of about 125 independent pharmacies in German-speaking Switzerland. TopPharm pharmacies see themselves as health advisors to customers and patients and most are also involved in supporting institutions and nursing homes.
Christophe Bugnon
Actor and author
Following qualifications in IT and in teaching adolescents and young adults, Neuchâtel-born Christophe Bugnon turned his hand to the world of the theatre. A professional entertainer for over 15 years (troupe Peutch, improvisation and humour) with a special interest in interactive prevention theatre (forum, troupe du Caméléon) he is now putting these skills to use in the field of training. Presenter and host (FestiNeuch) and radio columnist too (Les Dicodeurs, La Soupe, L'Agence, RSR), he also writes for various artists and programmes (Les Bouffons de la Confédération, Yann Lambiel, Sandrine Viglino, Les Revues de Cuche and Barbezat). Member of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Authors’ Society and also a stage director, he enjoys the interchange between everyday life and treading the boards.
Dr. Jérôme Cosandey
Research Director, Social Policy, Avenir-Suisse
At Avenir Suisse, the private-sector think tank, Dr Jérôme Cosandey has been grappling since 2011 with the consequences of demographic change for the elderly in employment, for retirement provision and for elderly care.
Following his dissertation at ETH Zurich he first worked for several years as a strategy consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, then at UBS. Jérôme Cosandey also holds a master's degree in international economic history from the University of Geneva. He has authored numerous publications.
Prof. Dr. Jacques Gaucher
Lumière University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Emeritus
Jacques Gaucher is a clinical psychologist and Emeritus Professor of the clinical psychology of ageing at the Université Lumière Lyon Institute of Psychology. He is also Chair of the Rhône-Alpes gerontology association and Chair of the Scientific Council for Human and Social Sciences of the France Alzheimer Union of Associations. His work focuses on the psycho-developmental understanding of ageing, the impact of Alzheimer’s on the families of sufferers (family ties and structure) and the resilience process among the elderly. J. Gaucher is also Vice President of a management association for around 50 nursing homes and is particularly interested in the value of art and culture in transforming the attitude of those supposedly suffering from Alzheimer’s in old people’s homes.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Hahn
Head of Nursing as a Discipline, Head of Applied Nursing Research and Development, Bern University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Dr. Sabine Hahn (RN, CNS, PhD) is a nursing scientist and graduate nursing expert with many years of practical experience in psychiatric nursing. She is the Head of Applied Nursing Research and Development at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (CH). Her research fields are skills and quality development and their measurement, plus future requirements for health professionals. Other areas of interest include psychiatric and psychosocial care research, plus aggression and safety research in healthcare. Ms Hahn is also a visiting professor at the University of Central Lancashire (UK), School of Mental Health Nursing.
Dr. Patrick Karcher
Geriatrician, doctor at the Geriatrics Unit of the Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS)
Patrick Karcher is a geriatrician and hospital practitioner based in the Geriatrics department of the Strasbourg University Hospital. Besides heading up the long-term care services and nursing home, he is also responsible for quality in the Geriatrics department and is a Research Fellow at the IRIST (interdisciplinary science and technology research institute) with special interest in the ethics and medical practices laboratory. The focus of his research is welfare.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Klie
Institute Director, AGP (Old Age, Society, Participation) Social Research at the Protestant University for Applied Sciences Freiburg (D)
Thomas Klie, born in Hamburg, studied Protestant theology, sociology and law. He has held the post of Professor of Public Law and Administrative Sciences at the Protestant University of Freiburg since 1988. Holding the post of Reader at the Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt / IFF Vienna, he is also in the process of qualifying as a professor there. Thomas Klie heads the AGP Social Research Institute and works part time as a solicitor.
Dr. Adrian Lobsiger
Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner
Adrian Lobsiger completed a master's degree in European law in Exeter (GB) after studying at universities in Bern and Basel. In 1992, he started work in international private law at the Federal Office of Justice, before transferring to the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) in 1995. His most recent post there was deputy director. As head of the staff department and its associated legal affairs and data protection services, he was responsible for legally compliant processing of personal data in exchanges with domestic and foreign authorities. From 2000 to 2005 he established and headed on a part-time basis the post-graduate course to combat white-collar crime as well as the Centre of Excellence for Forensics and Economic Criminalistics at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Adrian Lobsiger has been the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner since 2016.
Nicolai Lütschg
Executive director Stammgemeinschaft eHealth Aargau
Nicolai Lütschg is a political scientist who has specialised in political economy, international relations and Swiss politics. He heads the Aargau eHealth healthcare services community office at an operational level and was responsible for the introduction of electronic patient records in the canton of Aargau. Working as a chief project manager until July 2016 at the Federal Office of Public Health, he was responsible for drawing up the implementation provisions for the federal law on electronic patient records and personally wrote the sections on financial assistance, accreditation and the certification process.
Lütschg's earlier career has included appointments in finance, national standardisation, university education and further education and internal administrative organisation at departmental level – each with a focus on digitisation and networking.
Heike Pollerhoff Huber
Operations Manager, Neumünster Park Residence, Zollikerberg
Heike Pollerhoff Huber has been Operations Manager at the Neumünster Park Residence in Zollikerberg since 2010. The establishment is part of the Neumünster Deaconry Foundation – Swiss School of Nursing. After becoming a registered nurse HF with additional op. theatre training, she headed the enlarged operating theatre section at the Zollikerberg Hospital for many years. After posts as a departmental head of regional employment centres in the city of Zurich and a business consultant, she worked as Clinic Manager in the USZ Eye Clinic and Head of Care for Specialist Departments in the Bülach Hospital. Whilst working full time, Heike Pollerhoff studied to complete a Master of Business Administration at the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) and the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY). In addition, she sits on the Executive Board of the Zollikerberg Crèche.
Theres Meierhofer
Director of the Erlenhaus Retirement and Nursing Home, Engelberg
Marlies Petrig, Head of Healthcare Services at the Centre of Excellence for Nursing Care and Health Zurich Unterland (KZU), Isabelle Weibel, graduate registered nurse, MAS in palliative care and Co-Head of Clinical Nursing Specialists at the KZU and Theres Meierhofer, Director of the Erlenhaus Retirement and Nursing Home in Engelberg all benefit from many years of experience in the field of nursing.
Prof. Dr. Robert Riener
Professor for Sensory-Motor Systems at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich
Robert Riener is full professor for Sensory-Motor Systems at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich and University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich. He obtained a MSc in mechanical engineering in 1993 and a PhD in biomedical engineering 1997, both from TU München, Germany. In 2003 he became professor in Zurich. Riener has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, 20 book chapters and filed 20 patents. Riener is the initiator and organizer of the Cybathlon.
Beat Ringger
Executive Secretary, Think Network Switzerland
Beat Ringger, from Bern, is a qualified primary school teacher. He completed an informal basic apprenticeship as a machine mechanic, worked for two years in an integration workshop for the disabled and then studied electrical engineering. After having worked at IBM Switzerland for ten years as a systems engineer and trainer, Ringger joined the trade unions. As General Secretary at the VPOD (Swiss trade union for employees in the public service) for 12 years, he was responsible for health-related matters. Ringger is currently Executive Secretary of the socially critical think tank "Denknetz".
Dr. Delphine Roulet-Schwab
Professor at Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source (La Source healthcare college) in Lausanne
Delphine Roulet Schwab has a PhD in psychology and is a professor at the Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source healthcare institute in Lausanne. She has conducted a number of studies on the mistreatment and good treatment of the elderly, and on perceptions of the rights and care options of residents in nursing homes. She is a member of the “Alter Ego Association” committee – a body set up in French-speaking Switzerland to prevent mistreatment of elderly people – and also sits on the Ethics Board for the AVDEMS, the Vaud association of nursing and care homes. Ms. Roulet Schwab is the Swiss representative for the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and co-represents this organisation at the United Nations. Since 2016 she has also been Vice President of the Swiss Society of Gerontology (SSG SGG).
Dr. Heinz Rüegger
Research Associate, Institut Neumünster
Heinz Rüegger studied theology, applied ethics and Gerontology in Switzerland, Germany and the USA. He has worked in various positions in the fields of ecumenism, welfare and social work and adult education. Since 1999, he has held various management and staff positions within the Neumünster Deaconry Foundation. He is currently employed as a researcher at the Institute Neumünster, an interdisciplinary centre of excellence at the above foundation that specialises in matters relating to old age. Heinz Rüegger is also an associate member of the Centre for Gerontology at the University of Zurich.
Martine Ruggli
TopPharm Pharmacy
Martine Ruggli, pharmacist FPH, heads the Interprofessional Collaboration section at pharmaSuisse, the Swiss Association of Pharmacists. She is also responsible for the training of pharmacists who wish to offer pharmaceutical care in healthcare institutions. She and her team assist pharmacists in all matters relating to medical activities in nursing homes and other institutions.
Martine Ruggli worked at a nursing home on a part-time basis for over 25 years and this enabled her to recognise and further develop the importance of pharmaceutical care.
Prof. em. Dr. Norbert Semmer
Emeritus Professor, Institute for Psychology, University of Bern
Norbert Semmer has studied psychology with a focus on occupational and organisational psychology. His places of work have included the Technical University of Berlin, the Federal Ministry of Health in Berlin and later, the University of Bern. His teaching and research focus is stress in the workplace. Since his retirement he has also worked increasingly as a coach and consultant in this field.
Dr. Stefan Sigrist
Head of the think tank W.I.R.E.
The founder and head of the think tank W.I.R.E. has analysed the developments in the economy and society over many years. He has studied, amongst other things, the consequences of rising life expectancies on the cohesion and future tasks of the healthcare system and is involved with the life sciences. W.I.R.E. serves as a vehicle to advise companies and institutions about politics and science when long-term strategies and innovation projects are under development. After studying biochemistry at the ETH Zurich, Sigrist joined the medical research team at Hoffman-La Roche. Following this he worked as a management consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. He sits on the Foundation Board of the Swiss Allergy Centre AHA and Science & Cité.
Prof. Dr. Martial van der Linden
Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Geneva
Martial Van der Linden is professor of clinical psychology at the Universities of Geneva and Liège. He is also responsible in Geneva for a consultation facility dedicated to assessing and treating emotional and cognitive disorders. His research aims for a better understanding of the psychological difficulties experienced by people presenting psychopathological symptoms (schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive behaviour, etc.) and people with brain injuries (head trauma, strokes, etc.). Part of his work looks at the effects of ageing on psychological functioning, based on a multi-component, lifespan and integrative approach (see Van der Linden, M., & Juillerat Van der Linden, A.-C., Penser autrement le vieillissement (“Viewing ageing differently”), Brussels: Mardaga, 2014).
Dr. Werner Widmer
Director, Diakoniewerk Neumünster Foundation
Werner Widmer, Dr. rer. pol., has been a director of four public hospitals and sat for an extended period on the Supervisory Board of the Adelheid Rehabilitation Clinic (Unterägeri), the Foundation Board of the See-Spital (Horgen), the Foundation Board of the Swiss Patients' Organisation and the Executive Board of Curaviva Switzerland. He has been Director of the Neumünster Deaconry Foundation since 2001. The Zollikerberg Hospital, the Neumünster Park Residence (Zollikerberg), the Hottingen Nursing Centre and Rehalp (Zurich) all comprise part of the Foundation. In addition, Werner Widmer is Chairman of the Baselland Cantonal Hospital and sits on the Supervisory Board of the SV Group. He holds a lectureship at the University of St. Gallen. As a speaker and publicist, Werner Widmer ranks among the innovative lateral thinkers in Swiss healthcare.
Dr. Franziska Zuniga
Postdoctoral researcher and research assistant, Nursing Science, University of Basel
Dr Franziska Zuniga is a trained registered nurse (integrated nursing care) and has worked in various hospital fields for several years and in nursing practice, management, training and quality management over many years. In November 2015 she completed her dissertation at the Institute of Nursing Science at the University of Basel as part of the SHURP study (Swiss Nursing Homes Human Resources Project). She has worked as a postdoctoral researcher and research associate at the Institute of Nursing Science since January 2016. Her research fields are the long-term care of elderly people (key areas: work environment, quality of care) and teaching. Her position as a quality management staff member at the KZU Centre of Excellence for Nursing Care and Health, Embrach, maintains her closeness to nursing practice.