Geneva University hospitals Strengthens Obesity & Bariatric Surgery Center Leadership
the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) have announced a leadership shift at their Center of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery, effective August 1, 2025. Pre Laurence Genton Graf, currently head of the HUG Nutrition unit and an Associate Professor at the University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, will join Dr. Minoa Jung as co-director of the center, succeeding Professor Zoltan Pataky.
Pre Genton Graf brings extensive expertise in clinical nutrition, especially in addressing both undernutrition and the complexities of obesity, focusing on preserving muscle mass and improving patient quality of life. Her work spans clinical practice and applied research, and she is deeply committed to medical education, having served as President of the Swiss Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SSNC) and holding a key role within the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN).She is a prolific author of scientific publications in her field.
Dr. Minoa Jung, an attending physician associated with the HUG’s Visceral Surgery service, already leads the HUG bariatric surgery program. This program is a nationally accredited reference center and the sole mandated center for highly specialized bariatric surgery within the Canton of Geneva. Dr. Jung is a pioneer in minimally invasive and robotic bariatric surgery, having performed over 1,000 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures robotically. She is actively involved in training surgeons in this advanced technique,hosting colleagues from across Switzerland and internationally. Dr. Jung also serves on the Swiss Surgery Committee (SSC-SGC) with a focus on training and is a published author in specialized surgical literature. She has co-led the center since its inception in 2022.
Addressing a Growing Public Health Crisis
The leadership change comes at a critical time, as obesity rates in Switzerland have more than doubled since 1992, now affecting 12% of adults and a combined 43% when including those who are overweight.This rise is directly linked to an increase in chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, solidifying obesity as a major public health challenge of the 21st century.
The HUG Center of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery, inaugurated in April 2022, aims to combat this trend by fostering collaboration between various HUG services. The center provides a complete,multidisciplinary approach to obesity prevention and treatment,tailored to individual patient needs and encompassing medical,nutritional,psychological,and physical therapy support. The center’s goal is to guide patients through a personalized clinical pathway to the appropriate specialists and care programs.