The Dr.-Markus-Guggenheim-Schnurr-Foundation for the History of Medicine and Sciences was established in 1962 by Dr. phil. Dr. h.c. Markus Guggenheim-Schnurr (1885 –1970), head of research of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in Basel. It is the only foundation for the history of medicine and sciences in Switzerland.
Our life and society is marked by the evolution of medicine and sciences; rapid changes call for critical reflection and orientation. Through the support of research and its dissemination, the foundation attempts to sensitize the public – as well as decision-makers in medicine, science and politics – to a historical perspective which helps us to understand our present situation.
The foundation is devoted to scientific quality. It supports the Swiss Society for the History of Medicine and Scienes and its journal Gesnerus. Swiss Journal of the History of Medicine and Sciences. It arranges public talks of excellent historians of medicine and science and awards the Henry E.-Sigerist Prize to promising young scholars. It develops and supports other projects as far as possible: fellowships, publications, meetings etc.
