Gilles Rufenacht appointed new CEO of Hirslanden Group

Gilles Rufenacht, currently General Director of Geneva Airport, is very well acquainted with the Hirslanden Group. Until summer 2024, he was Hospital Manager of the two Hirslanden hospitals in Geneva, Clinique des Grangettes and Clinique La Colline, which under his leadership became established as key players in the private health sector and now occupy a leading position in numerous medical specialties.

Gilles Rufenacht has over 25 years' experience in hospital management and is a committed figure in Swiss healthcare policy and in the economic world.

A healthcare system faced with multiple challenges

Dr Ronnie van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer of the Mediclinic Group, said: “I am pleased that Gilles Rufenacht is returning to Hirslanden as CEO. The healthcare sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. I am confident that Gilles, with his expertise, vision, and human approach to management, will successfully guide Hirslanden through this next stage of its development."

In his new role as CEO, Gilles Rufenacht will drive the quality of care and further growth of the Hirslanden Group, with a focus on integrated medical networks that bring together private and public stakeholders within the individual delivery regions.

Gilles Rufenacht explains: "I am honored to join the Hirslanden Group at such a strategic moment. The Swiss healthcare system is facing numerous challenges, but also significant opportunities. One of my priorities will be to work hand in hand with the medical and support teams to continue delivering excellent care."

Gilles Rufenacht will take up his new position on November 1, 2025. He will succeed Daniel Liedtke, who is due to take over as Chairman of the Board of Helsana AG on January 1, 2026.

About Hirslanden

Hirslanden is committed to high-quality, responsible and efficiently integrated healthcare that focuses on the needs of the individual. Working together with private and public cooperation partners, the Hirslanden Group prioritises ongoing development of the Continuum of Care concept. From birth to old age, from prevention to healing, Hirslanden is always there, both on a physical and digital level.

Hirslanden differentiates itself from the rest of the market as a service provider with first-class medical care aimed at improving the quality of life of each of its patients – guaranteed by highly qualified independent specialists with years of experience, excellent and attentive nursing care, and outstanding services to provide a high level of comfort in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Interdisciplinary medical centres of expertise, specialised institutes and professional partners provide optimal, personalised diagnosis and treatment of even highly complex cases, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

The Hirslanden Group operates 17 hospitals in 10 cantons, many of which have an emergency department. It also operates 5 outpatient surgery centres, 19 radiology and 6 radiotherapy institutes. The Group has 2,651 partner doctors and 11,146 employees, 580 of whom are permanently employed doctors. Hirslanden is the largest medical network in Switzerland. As at 31 March 2024, the Group had treated 112,008 patients for a total of 446,623 inpatient days. The patient mix consists of 52.1% patients with basic insurance, 27.3% with semi-private insurance and 20.6% with private insurance. The Hirslanden Group was formed in 1990 following a merger between several hospitals, and is now part of the Mediclinic Group.