Prof. Urs B. Schaad

Professor Urs B. Schaad graduated in 1971 from the Medical Faculty of the Bernese Medical School and in 1978 he finished his specializations in pediatrics. From 1978 to 1980 he completed a Research Fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases in the USA (Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas). In 1981 he set up the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Department of Pediatrics (Inselspital), University of Berne, Switzerland. As the Head of this Division of Pediatric Infectiology, he was appointed in 1989 Professor of Pediatrics at the Bernese University. Since July 1993 Urs B. Schaad is Chairman and Ordinarius of Pediatrics at the University of Basel, Switzerland. The University Children's Hospital in Basel includes Departments of Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics. The Department of Pediatrics consists of 100 beds including pediatric and neonatal ICU's. As tertiary care centre all pediatric subspecialties are represented in in- and outpatient clinics. Since 1996 Prof. Urs B. Schaad is Medical Director of the University Children's Hospital.

Professor Urs B. Schaad is a member of various infectious disease committees and professional organizations, including the European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (founder member, 1982; Bill Marshall Lecturer, 1992; President 1995-1998), the World Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (founder and executive committee member since 1995), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Societies of America and of Germany , the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Corresponding Fellow since 1986, Annual IDSA Meeting Program Committee Member 2005-2008), the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases (founder and council member 1990 - 2004), the International Green Cross (Vice President 1995 - 1999) and the European Forum on Immunization (Chairman 1997-2000). In addition to acting as a reviewer for many medical journals, he is on the Editorial Board of various journals.

Prof. Urs B. Schaad has published over 250 articles in his field of interest which includes bacterial meningitis in pediatrics (therapy, prophylaxis, in vitro neurotoxicity studies), pseudomonal infections in cystic fibrosis (therapy, prevention by active immuni-zation), other bacterial infections (e.g., upper respiratory tract infections), humoral immune responses, immunostimulants, vaccinology and new antimicrobial compounds (beta-lactams, macrolides, fluoroquinolones).