On October 30, 2026, the University Hospital Zurich and GE HealthCare will celebrate a milestone in medical imaging: 25 years ago, the world's first clinical PET/CT scanner was installed at USZ. What began as a groundbreaking clinical and technological innovation has revolutionized diagnostic imaging and precision medicine worldwide.
This anniversary is not only an occasion for a proud retrospective, but also an opportunity to highlight the enduring importance of long-term collaboration.
Date
30 Oct 2026
Time
9.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Type
Onsite
Location
University Hospital Zurich
Lecture hall
Grosser Hörsaal Ost
30.10.2026
9.30
Arrival & registration
10.00
Moderated Opening and Welcome address
10.30
Moderated Panel Discussion
Matthias Goyen, Prof. Dr. med., GE HealthCare (Host)
Ken Herrmann, MD, MBA, University Hospital Essen
Mike Sathekge, MD, PhD, FSNMMI, University of Pretoria
Patrick Veit-Haibach, MD, FRCPC, University of Toronto
Roger Schibli, Prof. Dr., ETH Zurich
Frank Urbaniok, Prof. Dr. med.
Gustav K. von Schulthess, Prof. em. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.
Jan Beger, GE HealthCare
11.30
Tour of Department of Nuclear Medicine and Lunch
12.30
Scientific lectures
Valentina Garibotto, MD, PhD, University Hospital Geneva
Ken Herrmann, MD, MBA, University Hospital Essen
Mike Sathekge, MD, PhD, FSNMMI, University of Pretoria
Patrick Veit-Haibach, MD, FRCPC, University of Toronto
15.00
Adjourn
The event at the end of October highlights the groundbreaking significance of this technology, which has fundamentally redefined diagnostic imaging by combining functional and anatomical information.
At the same time, it celebrates the long-standing collaboration between the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and GE HealthCare, which since the initial installation has evolved into an internationally recognized partnership in research, education, clinical excellence, and technology development.
Furthermore, the symposium offers a glimpse into the future by linking the PET/CT success story with current and emerging developments in molecular imaging, theranostics, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine. At its core, the event tells the story of how a visionary clinical idea, scientific excellence, and industrial collaboration, over time, give rise to an innovation that becomes a global standard.