Thomas Bührer becomes new hospital manager of Hirslanden Bern

Thomas Bührer, 45, started his career by studying human medicine at the University of Basel and obtained his federal medical degree in 2006. After obtaining his doctorate in 2015, he completed his medical training in the same year with a specialist qualification in surgery. In 2017, he obtained an Executive Master in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen. He also completed a CAS in medical law at the University of Zurich at the end of March 2023.

Thomas Bührer underwent further clinical training in Basel, Liestal, Olten and Solothurn. At the Solothurner Spitäler (soH), Thomas Bührer subsequently took on various management tasks in addition to a clinical role as Senior Consultant on the Surgical Emergency Ward at Bürgerspital Solothurn, most recently as Head of Projects & Special Services in the Medical Directorate. From 2018 to 2021, Thomas Bührer held the position of Deputy Lieutenant Colonel / Chief of the Military Medical Service and was a member of the Executive Board for Medical Services at the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS.

Since 1 January 2022, Thomas Bührer successfully managed the Medical System division (MES) at Hirslanden Bern, in which all medical cross-sectional functions are combined. As Deputy Hospital Manager since April this year, he is also already actively involved in the strategic orientation of the Bern Hirslanden hospitals. Hirslanden operates a comprehensive medical network in the canton of Bern with a clear focus on excellent integrated care, known as the Hirslanden Continuum of Care, in the areas of the musculoskeletal medicine, cardiac medicine, cancer medicine, neuromedicine, as well as obstetrics. This includes both outpatient and inpatient cooperation in primary care, as well as specialised and highly specialised diagnostics and hospital treatment.

"I am looking forward to the new challenge and, in particular, to further expanding our Continuum of Care in the Bern region, such as with the cross-location, interdisciplinary and certified Bern Biel Breast Centre, which we operate together with Hirslanden Klinik Linde. The two locations mean that patients can choose a place of treatment close to their place of work or residence," says Thomas Bührer.

Stéphan Studer, Chief Operating Officer of the Hirslanden Group, had this to say: "With Thomas Bührer, we have found a hospital manager who is very familiar with the Bern Hirslanden hospitals due to his previous positions at Hirslanden and who also brings valuable medical knowledge to the new position. I hold him in high esteem as an upstanding and highly professional leader with extensive management experience and look forward to working closely with him. He will continue to expand the regional healthcare network internally and also with Hirslanden's cooperation partners in order to further advance population-oriented healthcare in the canton of Bern in a targeted manner." Thomas Bührer succeeds Daniel Lüscher, who has accepted a position outside Hirslanden as Chairman of the Board of the Aarau Cantonal Hospital with effect from 1 July 2023. Thomas Bührer will take up his position as Hospital Manager of Hirslanden Bern on 1 August 2023.

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 and service quality, which is guaranteed by highly qualified independent specialists with years of experience who offer excellent care and services. Interdisciplinary medical centres of expertise, specialised institutes and competent cooperation partners enable optimal, personalised diagnosis and treatment, regardless of case complexity, in both inpatient and outpatient contexts.

The Hirslanden Group operates 17 hospitals in 10 cantons, many of which have an emergency department. It also operates five outpatient surgery centres, 19 radiology and six radiotherapy institutes. The Group has 2,886 partner doctors and 11,102 employees, 560 of whom are permanently employed doctors. Hirslanden is the largest medical network in Switzerland. In the financial year ending on 31 March 2023, the Group treated 111,107 patients for a total of 465,105 inpatient days. The patient mix consists of 51.7% patients with basic insurance, 27.5% with semi-private insurance and 20.8% with private insurance. The Hirslanden Group was formed in 1990 through the merger of several hospitals. It is now part of the internationally active Mediclinic Group.