The importance of healthy feet for mobility and overall quality of life is often only perceived once they are injured or painful. Doctors specializing in foot and ankle care play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating foot-related issues, ensuring early intervention to maintain mobility and prevent long-term health problems. The Centre ASSAL for Foot Care and Surgery offers comprehensive and personalized care, leveraging cutting-edge research.

Dr Lisca Drittenbass, surgeon at Centre ASSAL for Foot Care and Surgery is a seasoned expert with deep knowledge and passion for her field, making her one of the most successful professionals in the industry. Currently president of the Swiss Foot and Ankle Society, she is one of very few females in the lead of a surgical society.

During a personal interview with us, Dr Lisca Drittenbass shared her industry experience and offered valuable insights.

Can you walk us through your educational background?

I initially studied sports science and physical education at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. This was when I had my first encounter with orthopaedic surgery, which sparked my desire to pursue a career as a an orthopaedic surgeon myself. I went to medical school in Zurich. Part of my studies also took place at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, thanks to a scholarship from my university in Zurich. After graduating, I trained in Switzerland and became a board certified orthopaedic surgeon in 2009. In recent years, I completed my education with an EMBA in healthcare at the Univerity of Lausanne.

Could you provide an overview of your extensive professional journey as an orthopaedic surgeon? What have been some pivotal moments throughout your journey?

During residency I developed my passion for Foot and Ankle Surgery, which was still a relatively new and emerging subspecialty of orthopedics at the time. I was attracted by its complexity as well as it’s rapid evolution and chose to subspecialize in Foot & Ankle. After completing my training as chief resident, I had the opportunity of a 2 years fellowship in Geneva with Dr Mathieu Assal, which was a crucial turning point in my career. Dr Assal eventually became my mentor and helped me develop my professional expertise. He also supported me in balancing family and professional commitments, as another pivotal moment was definitely becoming a mother while pursuing a career in a highly competitive and traditionally male professional environment such as orthopaedics. Alternative work models such as parttime jobs were almost non-existing in this field at the time.

"Staying at the forefront of medical science & maintaining excellence in care is essential for navigating the challenges of rapid change in healthcare"

Can you tell us about the Centre ASSAL for Foot Care and Surgery, the procedures and conditions you specialize in, and your key focus areas when treating patients?

Founded in 2012, Centre ASSAL for Foot Care and Surgery is one of the largest institutions specialized in foot and ankle pathologies in Switzerland. It is led by three experts in their field, Dr Mathieu Assal (CEO), Dr Victor Dubois-Ferrière, and myself. With a team of almost 40 employees, we provide state-of-the-art, personalized and evidence-based care to our patients. We address a wide range of conditions and patients, from traumatic injuries to diseases, from the professional athlete to the elderly lady. As science is the foundation of quality and innovation in our field, we are also is highly involved in scientific work.

We take pride in the fact that we are the first swiss healthcare provider having obtained the renowned ‘B-Corp Certification’ for corporate social and environmental responsibility in 2022. In line with our values the Centre ASSAL is also very commited to humanitarian work as well as training of young professionals. We offer fellowships for young foot and ankle surgeons from all over the world, organize scientific meetings and host courses for general physicians, nurses, therapists and surgeons alike. The doctors at Centre ASSAL ‘multitask’ on a daily basis as they are all not only physicians but also scientists, teachers and leaders in one person. This approach is what differentiates us and has made us very successful in our field.

What are the major challenges you face as a healthcare provider, and how do you overcome them?

The Centre ASSAL started with a staff of 5 employees and grew to a company of almost 40 employees in 10 years. The main challenges that came with fostering the growth of a start-up were business-related, yet as a medical doctor, I didn’t have formal business training. To address this, I pursued an EMBA with focus on healthcare at the University of Lausanne from which I graduated in 2021, which provided me with the tools to successfully navigate these challenges.

How do you see the healthcare landscape in Europe evolving in the future, and what steps do you take to stay aligned with emerging industry trends and requirements?

The healthcare landscape is evolving significantly, particularly in my field, with shift towards ambulatory surgeries, where patients don't need overnight hospitalization. This requires adapting our techniques and reorganizing how we operate. One of the main challenges, especially in Switzerland, is the relationship between healthcare providers and insurance companies. To address this, we focus on delivering top-notch, science-based care to minimize complications, as they can be costly and difficult for everyone.

Dr Lisca Drittenbass, Doctor, Centre Assal For Foot Care & Surgery In Geneva

Dr Lisca Drittenbass, orthopaedic surgeon specialized in foot and ankle surgery, works as an Associate Surgeon at Centre ASSAL in Geneva. She is the President of the Swiss Foot and Ankle Society (SFAS) and holds an Executive MBA in healthcare management from Université HEC Lausanne.