Switzerland at its best in the patient's service

What influence has the Davos location had on AO’s success over the years?

Christoph Lindenmeyer: Davos has a long tradition in medical research, starting off as center for tuberculosis treatment. In 1959, AO seized this opportunity and moved into vacant premises. In the beginning, AO was a highly dispersed organization. Inaugurated in 1992, the AO Center was designed as a single, purpose-built location for all areas of AO research, development, documentation, and education. Having this central hub in Davos has been key to AO’s further global expansion. It has a very particular atmosphere and importance in the development of scientific advances in Switzerland that have a global impact.

What reasons are there to strengthen the location so long after it was founded?

Switzerland, and of course the Greater Zurich Area, have a well-deserved global reputation for excellence in research. Davos is a leading European and Swiss hub for science and research. It is home to several world-leading research centers, and AO is proud to have a home here. The AO Center in Davos remains a symbol of the AO's identity, reflecting its Swiss roots and its ability to bring together science, surgery, education, innovation and industry around a single goal: to pioneer new treatments in fracture care and the treatment of trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. Having its base in Davos has helped anchor AO as it continues to expand its work.

How attractive is the location for your target group?

The AO organizes the second most important event after the WEF in Davos: the Davos Courses, launched in 1960 and held every year at the beginning of December. They are for orthopedic specialists and health care professionals in the fields of trauma, spine, CMF, veterinary and recon surgery, what the WEF is for politicians and business people. AO also regularly brings research students from all over the world to Davos for internships and research stays at AO. They all get to know Switzerland at its best.

How does the Foundation specifically promote innovation in Switzerland?

The beginning of the AO was a revolutionary innovation, namely to treat fractures surgically with internal fixation and early mobilization instead of traction and plaster casts. Today, the AO conducts research in a wide variety of areas, including stem cells, digitization and infection prevention. The AO is a leader in education and innovation, working in close cooperation with respected universities in Switzerland like the ETH but also worldwide, and as well with our industrial partner Johnson & Johnson. Furthermore, we work closely with startups and also invest in startups.

To what extent is IT competence in the Greater Zurich Area an advantage for you?

The Greater Zurich Area is home to outstanding educational institutions and numerous global companies that are active in the digital business in the broadest sense. This enables both cooperation and the hiring of specialists. In addition to using digitalization for the benefit of patients, it also provides new and efficient training opportunities for our members. The digitization of our services is one of my passions.

Biography:
Christoph Lindenmeyer took office on 1 January 2019 as the AO Foundation’s CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board. He joins AO after 35 years with the Schindler Group, where he was most recently Chairman of the Board of Schindler Management AG. He was also Chairman of the International Economic Relations Commission at economiesuisse, Vice-Chairman of Switzerland's industry association Swissmem, and Member of the Executive Committee of Switzerland Innovation.

Interview: Yvonne von Hunnius