After completing his medical studies in 1985 at the University of Zurich, Prof. Bernays worked for 2 years as a research assistant at the Brain Research Institute under the supervision of Prof. Cuénod and Prof. Streit, where he completed his doctoral thesis and participated in other scientific projects.
From 1988-1991, he worked as a resident at the Neurological Clinic and Neurophysiology Laboratory of the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen under Prof. Ketz and at the Neurosurgical Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital of Aarau under Prof. Probst. This was followed by a fellowship in neurosurgery at the University of California in Los Angeles with Prof. Batzdorf and Prof. Becker and a year of residency at the Trauma Surgery Clinic of the University Hospital Zurich with Prof. Trentz.
In 1993, he began neurosurgical training at the University Hospital Zurich with Prof. Yonekawa, starting in 1995 as a senior resident. In 2007, he was a Research Fellow in Pituitary Surgery with Prof. Laws at the University of Virginia Health Science Center in Charlottesville and with Prof. Post at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
From 2005 as Senior Physician, and from 2007 as Interim Clinic Director, he assumed leadership roles in the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University Hospital Zurich until the establishment of his neurosurgical practice at the Hirslanden Clinic in 2012 and the Neurosurgical Center Zurich 2020.
2012-dato
Practice as attending physician, Neurosurgery Clinic Hirslanden Zurich
2012-2014
President Swiss Society of Neurosurgery (SGNC)
2011
Titular Professor, University of Zurich
2010-2012
Clinic Director a.i., Neurosurgical Clinic University Hospital Zurich
2007 2010
Clinic Director Deputy and a.i., Neurosurgical Clinic University Hospital Zurich
2007
President International Intraoperative Imaging Society (IOIS)
2005-2007
Senior Physician, Neurosurgical Clinic, University Hospital Zurich (Prof. Y. Yonekawa)
2003
Habilitation, University of Zurich
1997
Specialist in Neurosurgery FMH
1997
Research Fellow in Pituitary Surgery, Health Science Center University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Prof. Laws, Mount Sinai Hospital New York, Prof. Post
1995-2004
Senior Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich (Prof. Y. Yonekawa)
1993-1995
Resident, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich (Prof. Y. Yonekawa)
1992
Resident, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zurich (Prof. O. Trentz)
1991
Fellowship, UCLA (Prof. U. Batzdorf, Prof. Becker)
1989-1991
Resident, Neurosurgical Clinic Cantonal Hospital Aarau (Prof. Ch. Probst)
1988
Resident, Neurological Clinic and Neurophysiological Laboratory, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen (Prof. E. Ketz)
1985-1987
Assistant, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich (Prof. P. Streit, Prof. M. Cuénod)
1985
Medical State Examination, University of Zurich
Swiss Society for Neurosurgery
SGNC Medical Society of the Canton of Zurich
AGZ Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum
FMH American Association of Neurological Surgeons
AANS Intraoperative Imaging Society, IOIS
At the beginning of his neurosurgical training, Prof. Bernays was mainly involved in spinal surgery and the treatment of craniocerebral injuries. Later, he established stereotactic surgery at the University Hospital of Zurich and increasingly focused on the treatment of brain tumors and vascular malformations, significantly advancing the development of intraoperative MRI imaging.
RB's treatment spectrum also included treatments for functional disorders (epilepsy, pain, spasmushemifacialis). Fellowships with Prof. E. Laws at the University of Charlottesville and with Prof. C. Post deepened his knowledge in the treatment of skull base tumors, especially pituitary tumors.
In parallel to his clinical activities, he teaches at the University of Zurich, supervised numerous doctoral theses, was a member of the mentoring program of the UZH, wrote scientific publications and book contributions in the international professional media (LINK) and lectured at international congresses and continuing education events.
In addition, as a delegate of the Swiss Society of Neurosurgery, he dealt with various political issues, especially in the field of highly specialized medicine.
