October 5, 2017

Katharina Fierz will be leaving her position at the Institute of Nursing Science at the University of Basel to join ZHAW. Since January 2016 she has been responsible for the master degree programme of the Institute of Nursing Science in Basel and has also been in charge of study counselling. As a post-doctoral student, she was mainly involved in research on new care models and effective steps to prevent hepatitis C infection. Prior to her research career at the University of Basel, Katharina Fierz worked for ten years as a registered nurse at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich. She is well networked in nursing science and among professional associations on a national and international level.

Katharina Fierz will take over responsibility for the bachelor and master degree programme in Nursing at ZHAW as well as other areas of activity including Research and Development, Continuing Education and Services. Looking forward to her new position, she said: «I embrace the new challenges awaiting me at ZHAW and hope to continue to further develop the excellent work done so far in the field of APN and Chronic Illness Care and to extend the profiling and evaluation of the various roles of APN in the interprofessional context of practice. That is why I wish to fill the vacant management positions in research and the master study programme as soon as possible.»

Andreas Gerber-Grote, Head of the School of Health Professions at ZHAW, is pleased to welcome a new renowned colleague and added: «Katharina Fierz's move to ZHAW emphasises the attractiveness of our Institute of Nursing. Reinforcing our team at the Institute of Nursing, she will make a significant contribution to the development of new care models and counter the skills shortage.»

Heidi Longerich retires from her position at the end of March 2018. Over the past ten years she has built up the Institute of Nursing at ZHAW and contributed greatly to the academisation of nursing professions at the level of University of Applied Sciences. Due to her continued efforts, the Institute has acquired an international reputation.