swimsa, the Swiss Medical Students’ Association, is the trusted representation for over 10,000 medical students in Switzerland. Since its establishment in 1917, swimsa has been actively engaged in various national and international projects, while also playing a pivotal role in shaping global health policy through its membership in the IFMSA, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations.

We enable students to engage in projects and work beyond their textbooks and university halls, develop their leadership skills, advocate for projects they are passionate about and provide resources to work on their skills which would be helpful to them in their professional, as well as personal lives. We present countless opportunities and provide resources to students to be innovative, creative and to implement what is dear to them in a practical way for the benefit of all.

Through our active participation with IFMSA, swimsa is part of one of the oldest and largest student-run organizations, which represents and connects over 1.3 million medical students from over 130 countries around the globe. Not only are we still an active participant of this massive organization, but we are also one of the initial founding members of IFMSA.

swimsa comprises of 11 full members, which are the medical faculties throughout Switzerland, binding the medical students on a national level and ensuring collaboration on a local level. With the current 21 associate members, swimsa supports multiple projects in varied fields spanning across universities, which bring students in interested fields closer, allowing teamwork that crosses language and cantonal barriers. These projects include developing amenities in developing countries, making surgical education accessible to all students, talking about sexism and discrimination in the medical field and much more.

swimsa is also active on a national level through our collaboration with  the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG/OFSP) and the Swiss Medical Association (FMH). swimsa stands for the voice of over 10,000 students, ensuring we make our voices heard loud and clear as an important player of the medical field in Switzerland.

For the individual student, swimsa works with IFMSA to provide professional and research exchanges with countries from all over the world. Every year, over 15,000 medical students embark on an exchange through the world to explore health care systems and research in different cultural and social settings.

swimsa also continues to work on improving medical education, ensuring that it remains updated and continues to comply with the international standards of education. This is achieved through the Commission of Medical Education, which is a democratically constituted body of swimsa that deals with all issues and projects related to the education of medical students in Switzerland. They strive to uphold the connection between education and work, students and professionals in all areas of healthcare. 

Through the Swiss Medical Students’ Convention (SMSC), over 400 students from all over Switzerland come together biannually to talk about topics which are not covered in the usual curriculum and to network. Topics discussed involve themes such as medical technology and the role of AI in medicine, forensic medicine, confronting the topic of death and much more.

swimsa also works to represent our voices to the outside world through our Advocacy Board, where small working groups work on various topics affecting healthcare today and where policy papers and statements are released. We advocate for the equality of all, and talk about issues pertaining to medical students and the overarching issues of healthcare.

In essence, swimsa embodies a dynamic and forward-thinking community that not only represents the collective voice of swiss medical students but also empowers them to become proactive leaders and innovators in healthcare. Through its extensive projects, collaborations, and advocacy, swimsa nurtures a spirit of unity and purpose among medical students, ensuring they are well-equipped to address contemporary challenges in medicine and make a positive impact on global health.