Board

 

The foundation board of trustees determines the RheumaCura’s policy and strategy with respect to its activities and how they are financed. It monitors the implementation of strategy and ensures a balance between objectives and resources in the short and long term.

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Judith Safford
President
  • Background in Economics (Dr. rer. pol.), Non-profit Management and Sociology.

  • Experience in communications, fundraising, public speaking and patient advocacy.

  • Interest in patient leadership, managing her disease and mountaineering.

  • Living with Spondyloarthritis (Enteropathic arthritis) and Osteopenia.

  • Judith is director of the SCQM foundation (Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases) and patient expert in medical research with a focus on patient-centred initiatives.

 

"RheumaCura because I want cures and better treatment for my children and future generations."

 

Judith on LinkedIn

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Susanne Kienberger
Vice-President
  • Background in psychology (MSc.) and business administration (EMBA)

  • Experience in non-profit organisations, pharmaceutical industry and therapeutic products authority (Swissmedic)

  • Lecturer in health communication/basic psychology at universities of applied sciences

  • Strategic consultant for digital transformation and agile organisations

  • Interest in health policy, healthcare, prevention and communication

 

“I put people at the centre. This should also become important in rheumatological research. I am happy to advocate this perspective. I also share this conviction as a lecturer in health communication, where the aim is to put patients at the centre. I am delighted to be able to use my strategic experience to the benefit of RheumaCura.”

 

Susanne on LinkedIn

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Lea Ettlin
Member
  • Physiotherapist, MSc, BSc, PhD in Health Sciences (Dr sc), Public Health Certificate

  • Experience in implementing physical activity promotion for chronic diseases

  • Interest in physical activity as medicine (exercise is medicine)

  • Research assistant at the Swiss ankylosing spondylitis association (SVMB) and in the Bsc programme (ZHAW)

 

"With RheumaCura, I would like to offer those affected the opportunity to positively influence a chronic illness with physical activity"

 

Lea on LinkedIn

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Carola Fisher
Member
  • Background in Business Management (Dr. oec. HSG), Public Health, Communications.

  • Experience in the Health Sector, Communications and Non- Profit Management.

  • Interest in prevention and Information campaigns in the health sector

  • Project Management Rare Diseases KISPI Zürich

 

"RheumaCura gives me a chance to proactively make a difference for many people."

 

Carola on LinkedIn

Supporters

 

Supporters are people who are helping us by publicly supporting our aims, by volunteering with us, by donating to us, by signing up to be a patient expert, or backing us in any way that they are able.

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Antonia Jann
President of the board Schützen Rheinfelden AG

"Because dealing with rheumatism requires a lot of care, discipline and creativity from patients, I support RheumaCura in their important work."

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Axel Finckh
Prof. Dr. med. Head of Clinical Research in Rheumatology, University Hospital Geneva

“As a clinical researcher, I know that involving patients from the initiation of research projects helps us to ask clinical pertinent questions. Patients suffering from rheumatic conditions know what questions need to be addressed most urgently.”

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Caroline Ospelt
Professor for Experimental Rheumatology at the University of Zurich

"I support RheumaCura because I am convinced that scientific research can make a great contribution to improving the quality of life of people with rheumatological diseases."

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Kathy Redmond
Strategic Consultant in Patient Engagement, Redmond Consulting

Former RheumaCura board member

"RheumaCura provides me with the opportunity to drive research in the interest of people with different rheumatic conditions."

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Marianne Pfister
lic.iur., M.H.A., Executive Director Spitex Schweiz

"I support RheumaCura because research and support in this area improves the quality of life of those affected."

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Michael Andor
Dr. med. Rheumatology FMH, President SCQM Foundation

“I support Rheumacura because patient empowerment also plays a central role in SCQM. In clinical everyday life I see how much better the treatment of patients works when decisions are made together. In research, we still have a lot of potential in this regard.”

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Steven Bourke
Co-founder and former board member

"I am committed to RheumaCura because we create the opportunity for people who are patients to co-create solutions in rheumatic disease as an equal partner."

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Ursula Kuehnel
Executive Coordinator Childhood Cancer Registry of Switzerland

Former RheumaCura board member

"I am committed to RheumaCura because it’s time to put patient-centred research into practice now."

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Yvonne Gilli
President FMH, Dr. med. Specialist for General Internal Medicine

"I support RheumaCura because it takes on what many only talk about: patient empowerment."

Membership and partners

 

Under partners we list organisations that we have joined, are affiliated to or who share our vision and values.

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Swiss4ward

The software consultancy company Swiss4ward is a partner. They have kindly built and supported the website and advise us on ITC issues.

NetwOArk

The EU-netwOArk aims to set up the European Society for Osteoarthritis (EUSOA), with patients, clinicians and researchers (both from academia and industry)