Jean-Raoul Scherrer, M.D., Ph.D. Closed Now

Dr. Jean-Raoul Scherrer (1946–2002) was a visionary physician–scientist and a pioneer in the field of medical informatics and hospital information systems (HIS). Based in Switzerland, he was the founder and long-time director of the Division of Medical Informatics at Geneva University Hospital and a Professor of Medical Informatics at the University of Geneva. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for many of the health information systems still in use today.

Dr. Scherrer is most widely recognized for developing DIOGENE, one of the earliest and most advanced hospital information systems. Designed and implemented at the Geneva University Hospital in the late 1970s and 1980s, DIOGENE integrated various clinical and administrative functions into a unified platform—decades ahead of modern EHR systems. This innovation allowed for more efficient patient management, clinical documentation, and data-driven healthcare delivery.

In addition to HIS development, Scherrer was a pioneer in applying natural language processing (NLP) and AI methods to biomedical data. He recognized early the potential of computational methods for improving medical knowledge management and patient safety. His work bridged the gap between medical practice and information science, inspiring generations of informaticians across Europe and beyond.

Dr. Scherrer was also deeply involved in international medical informatics communities. He collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), contributing to the establishment of global standards and education frameworks. His efforts helped position Switzerland as a leading hub in health informatics.

Even after his passing in 2002, his influence remains visible in systems derived from DIOGENE and in the careers of many professionals he mentored. The University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals continue to honor his legacy as a founding father of European health informatics.