The Clinique de Genolier is located at an altitude of 640 metres near Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Jura. It thus occupies an exceptional site near Geneva and Lausanne and close to Mont-Blanc.
The Duchess Di Cassano originally chose this site in order to establish it as a wellness and weight loss centre. When this project failed to meet with the expected success, the Duchess Di Cassano appealed to Professor Charles Hahn, a leading specialist in cardiac surgery, and the Clinique de Genolier quickly gained European renown in the field of cardio-vascular surgery. In the 1980s, an average of 12 surgical cardiac operations were performed every day. Since the majority of the patients and their companions came from various European countries, it became necessary to construct an additional building: half hotel for the patients' companions, half living space for the medical team.
In September 1987, the Clinique de Genolier was bought by a Swiss group of four businessmen. Their primary objective was to open the establishment to local clientele, leading to the creation in 1988 of the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Center (CRG) in the premises of the hotel building and the inauguration of a maternity hospital in 1990.
Since then, the Clinique de Genolier has developed in almost all areas, including oncology, radiotherapy, radiology, all types of adult and paediatric surgery, cardiology and physiotherapy. This led to the construction of the south wing of the clinic, which was inaugurated in September 1995.
From July 1994 to September 1997, the clinic also housed the Castañeda Institute, comprising a team of surgeons specializing in paediatric cardiac surgery under the aegis of Professor Aldo Castañeda, a world leader in the field. On Professor Castañeda's retirement, his associate, Dr. Norwood decided to return to the United States.
The clinic has developed various sectors of expertise in order to attract both local and overseas VIP patients, especially from the Middle East. The Clinique de Genolier is an attractive choice for this type of clientele because it offers a presidential suite consisting of 6 rooms, as well as providing a dedicated service that responds particularly well to the needs of these patients.
In 1997, a further service became available in the form of the newly opened Dental Clinic. The creation of a Center for Prevention of Aging in 1998 opened up exciting new prospects in this field, while also offering the Clinique de Genolier a further opportunity to develop in every area of plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery and aesthetic dermatology.
The twenty-first century has been witness to a range of major medico-economic upheavals (TARMED reform - Revision of health insurance legislation - Cantonal participation in private and semi-private health insurance) and the Clinique de Genolier has chosen to focus on its core activities and closed its maternity ward at the end of the year 2000.
Nevertheless, other opportunities are opening up and the prospects for the future are bright.