Introducing Sciana’s eighth cohort

Meet the Sciana Fellows challenged to rethink care and support for wellbeing across the life course

Sciana: The Health Leaders Network is delighted to announce the 18 new Fellows who will join Cohort 8, tackling issues under the theme of “Systems leadership for ageing in good health.” 

Each Fellow actively contributes to at least one of the health systems in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, and has been selected by the founding partners: the Health Foundation, Careum, and the Bosch Health Campus.

Cohort 8 includes:

• Adelina Comas-Herrera, Director, Global Observatory of Long-Term Care, London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom)
• Alexander Maßmann, Head of Department for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Robert Bosch Hospital (Germany)
• Alisha Davies, Deputy Director of Research, Data and Digital, Public Health Wales NHS Trust (United Kingdom)
• Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken, Professor and Head of Institute for Design Research and the Digital Health Design Living Lab, Zurich University of the Arts (Switzerland)
• Claire Chabloz, Strategic Project Officer within the Medical Directorate of the CHUV, CHUV- University Hospital of Lausanne (Switzerland)
• Corina Naujock, Head of Clinical Collaborations, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, (Germany)
• Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory (United Kingdom)
• Jörg Haslbeck, Vice Director Higher Education, Deputy CEO, Careum School of Health (Switzerland)
• Jenny Shand, Professor of Applied Health Research, UCL (United Kingdom)
• Johanna Ludwig, Head of Staff, Unit Healthcare, gematik GmbH (Germany)
• Marcel Widmer, Director, Obsan, Swiss Health Observatory (Switzerland)
• Markus Ries, Professor, University Hospital Heidelberg (Germany)
• Marlene Heckl, Medical Doctor, Science Journalist and Member of the Bavarian Ethics Council, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Bavarian Ethics Council (Germany)
• Meadhbha Monaghan, Chief Executive, Patient and Client Council Northern Ireland (PCC-NI) (United Kingdom)
• Martin Wieser, Head of Corporate Development, LUKS Group (Lucerne Cantonal Hospital Group) (Switzerland)
• Giselle Sarganas, Researcher and Epidemiologist, Robert Koch Institute (Germany)
• Shaun Danielli, Director Population Health and Equity, NHS (United Kingdom)
• Ljubiša Stojanović, Head Finance & Services Division, Health Care Directorate, Health Department Kanton Basel-Stadt (Switzerland)

Systems leadership for ageing in good health

Under the theme of “Systems leadership for ageing in good health,” Cohort 8 will explore the continuum of health and care, from preventive approaches to integrated models of care, including palliative and dementia care.

The programme will examine how to build person-centred, sustainable systems that anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of ageing populations at different life stages.

Programme co-lead Mary Helen Pombo said, “Cohort 8 comes at a pivotal moment for health systems across Europe. By focusing on systems leadership for ageing in good health, this group of Fellows brings together the insight, influence, and ambition needed to rethink how we design care, and support wellbeing across the life course.”

Fellows will also delve into the potential and the challenges of digital transformation and AI, among other innovations, to improve care delivery and enhance wellbeing.

Through this multifaceted approach, Cohort 8 will contribute to shaping systems that not only address health and care needs, but also enhance the holistic wellbeing of ageing populations.

Cross-country learning opportunities

The Network’s newest Fellows will have their first residential meeting at Schloss Leopoldskron, home of Salzburg Global, in May 2026.

Between May 2026 and November 2027, Cohort 8 will exchange strategies, innovations, and bold ideas in their work across Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. Extending beyond health and care to include the broader wellbeing of older adults, Fellows will explore future mega-trends influencing mental, emotional, and social wellbeing, purpose and meaning in life and social capital in communities.

The two-year systems leadership programme includes four residential meetings at Schloss Leopoldskron and opportunities to participate in in-country gatherings. With the Sciana Challenge, they’ll also define and tackle a real-world health leadership challenge as a cohort.

The Sciana Network, established in 2017, has a community of more than 100 health leaders across Europe, focusing on future challenges in health and wellbeing.

Programme co-lead David Behan said, “We are delighted to welcome Cohort 8 to the Sciana Network. Their collective expertise across prevention, care, digital innovation, and wellbeing positions them to lead meaningful change for ageing populations in ways that are inclusive and future-ready.”

Cohort 8 will also receive guidance and support from Sciana Advisors, guest speakers, founding partners and the programme co-leads Mary Helen Pombo and Sir David Behan.