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About us
We live right in your neighbourhood and are always there for you.
VASAS (VASculitis Association Switzerland) connects people suffering from vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessel walls*), their relatives and caregivers, as well as individuals with a professional and/or personal interest in the disease.
Foundation of VASAS
On September 10, 2021, VASAS was founded as a non-profit association in Bern.
We are a Swiss interest group of patients, doctors, scientists and specialists who deal with vasculitis.
VASAS pursues interdisciplinary and interprofessional cooperation as well as a comprehensive exchange with other domestic and foreign vasculitis organizations.
VASAS strives to fulfill the following goals in particular:
Understanding the clinical picture
Promoting understanding of conditions such as Takayasu arteritis (TAK), giant cell arteritis (GCA), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and Behçet's syndrome (BS) by providing information (literature, research findings, training courses)
Promotion of knowledge
Promoting knowledge about the causes, progression and medical, psychological and social consequences of vasculitis through clinically oriented research and further training for those affected and specialists.
Raising awareness among professionals
Raising awareness among specialists for the early detection and diagnosis of vasculitis and ensuring the best possible treatment and care for patients
Networking of affected persons
Networking among those affected to exchange experiences and promote social cohesion and integration
Advice from experts
Advice, support and guidance for those affected and professionals, as well as promoting the optimal integration of patients into their social environment and helping them to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Cross-organisational networking
Networking with other organisations and associations in Germany and abroad that deal with vasculitis
Board of the VASCULITIS Association Switzerland
Prof. Dr. med. Peter M. Villiger
President of VASAS
Monbijou Medical Centre, Monbijoustrasse 10, 3011 Bern
Dr. med. Andrea D. Gloor
Assistant physician and vice president
Assistant doctor, Inselspital Bern
Heike Pfister
Board member and patient representative VASAS
SysViva GmbH
Certified social pedagogue (FH)
PD Dr. med. Lisa Christ
Member of the Executive Board and Head of the VASAS Technical Committee
University Clinic for Rheumatology and Immunology Inselspital, University Hospital Bern
PD. Dr. med. Christof Iking-Konert
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Head Physician, Department of Rheumatology, Zurich City Hospital
Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Berger
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Senior Physician, Medical Polyclinic, University Hospital Basel
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Hauser
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Specialist in internal medicine, allergology and immunology, IZZ Immunology Centre Zurich
Prof. Sophie De Seigneux
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, HUG
Dr. med. Laura Moi, MD
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Médecin adjointe, Immunology and Allergology service, Institut Central des Hôpitaux, Hôpital du Valais and Hôpital Riviera-Chablais
PD Dr. med. Thomas Neumann
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Specialist in general internal medicine and rheumatology, osteologist DVO, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen
Prof. Dr. med. Michele Ludici
Member of the Executive Board, VASAS
Department of Rheumatology, HUG Geneva
VASAS is formed by the two main areas, those affected (Vasculitis Patient Affairs (VPA)) and the professionals (Swiss Vasculitis Network (SVN))
