Unbelievable but Bruno Ledergerber has retired on 30th November 2017. Bruno was a cornerstone of the SHCS since it was started in 1988. In fact, it was Bruno who set up the SHCS database and, has created the first questionnaires (3 pages in 1988 and 20 pages now) at the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital Zurich. When the data centre was transferred to Lausanne in 1995, he could actually commit much more time to do research than before.
He conducted many seminal analyses based on SHCS data published in some of the most prestigious journals (NEJM, JAMA, Lancet etc.). He was also instrumental in connecting the SHCS with very fruitful international collaborations such as EuroSIDA, D:A:D, COHERE, ART-CC etc. By developing HICDEP, a standardized data format to transfer cohort data, together with Jesper Kjaer from Kopenhagen, he really helped to improve collaborative work between cohorts immensely. Despite not leading the data centre anymore after 1995, he always supported the data centre with his great expertise.
He was part of the scientific board of the SHCS from the beginning on in 1995. His critical mind and knowledge in methodology made him a perfect reviewer. His inputs were key to substantially improve numerous research projects. Bruno had a major impact on many academic careers by his crucial support of numerous projects. He was definitely one of the best-organized members of the SHCS and his “engineer” spirit was instrumental for the high quality data the SHCS was gathering over the years. He is a great teacher and tutor, who helped many of us to improve our scientific skills.
On 30th November, we had an outstanding farewell symposium in Zurich that showed all the many facets of Bruno! Thanks to all who came and helped to make this a success.
Bruno, the SHCS thanks you so much for all you did for the patients, for the organization of the SHCS to keep the SHCS running over almost three decades, for your diplomatic skills, which were of great value in large collaborations, for being a wonderful teacher and mentor, and just for being such a great friend!
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR FUTURE!
farewell at the full assembly 2017: Huldrych Günthard, Bruno Ledergerber, Andri Rauch
On behalf of the SHCS,
Huldrych Günthard, president of the SHCS
Alexandra Scherrer, head of the SHCS data centre
Andri Rauch, chairman of the SB
Hansjakob Furrer, chairman of the Clinical and Laboratory Board