Portrait

Today, with its two main programmes, «Medicine and Society» and «Medical Science and Practice», the activity of the SAMS is concentrated on the following:

• Promotion of the professional training of the coming generation of scientists, especially in clinical research;
• Support of a high quality of scientific culture in biomedical and clinical research;
• The connection between scientific medicine and medical practice;
• Clarification of ethical questions in connection with medical developments and their effects on society;
• Comprehensive reflection on the future of medicine;
• Engagement in university, scientific and education politics, combined with expert and advisory activity for the attention of politicians and authorities.

All these activities concern primarily the Swiss environment, but they are also strongly oriented towards international developments. These international connections are maintained through membership of various international organisations and the participation of members of the SAMS at international meetings and congresses in the fields of biomedical ethics and the future of medicine.

More information on the principles and the mission of the Academy can be found in the SAMS' Mission Statement.

The General Secretariat implements the decisions taken by the Executive Board and the Senate, coordinates and supports the work of the commissions, and maintains cooperation with the wide range of partners in practice, academia, and politics. The Secretary General reports directly to the President of the SAMS and participates in the meetings of the Senate and the Executive Board in an advisory capacity. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.

The organizational chart (PDF) provides an overview of the structure of the General Secretariat. The persons listed can be found with their photo, email address, and telephone number on our contact page.