Who are we?

Dr Patrick Vienne

Born in Fribourg, Dr. Patrick Vienne graduated from the St-Michel College in Fribourg in 1984. After his final exam in medicine at the University of Bern in 1990, he worked for 2 years in a sports medicine center in Vevey where he also had the opportunity to follow the troupe of professional dancers of Ballet Béjart in Lausanne. He then began his training in orthopedic surgery at the Riaz hospital, then at the cantonal hospital in Fribourg before joining the Balgrist orthopedic university clinic in Zurich in 1995 under the direction of Professor Christian Gerber. He obtained his medical doctor's degree by completing a thesis on the "treatment of complex proximal humerus fractures" and obtained his title of specialist in orthopedic surgery and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system in 1998. After a fellowship of 6 months by Prof. Ted Hansen at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle (USA), he took charge of the foot and ankle team at the Balgrist Orthopedic University Clinic from 1999 to 2007. He was then certified doctor at the clinic Hirslanden St. Anna in Lucerne until April 2015 and later joined the clinic Hirslanden Bois-Cerf in Lausanne in May 2015.

Dr. Patrick Vienne has went on to publish numerous articles in international journals specializing in the field of the foot and ankle anatomy and he is at the origin of the development of an innovative surgical technique aimed at correcting the deformation of the hallux valgus. He has also worked as a European expert in the introduction of a new total ankle prosthesis in the early 2000s. With the benefit of more than 25 years of experience in his specialization, he is able to propose a solution that is conservative, or surgical (primary or revision) to all pathologies affecting the foot and ankle.

On the sporting side, Dr. Vienne is a fervent fan of running, finishing twice third place at the famous Sierre-Zinal mountain race in 1994 and 1995. An activity that has certainly motivated him to be interested in problems concerning the anatomy of the foot and ankle.

Dr Etienne Ruffieux

Dr Etienne Ruffieux is originally from Fribourg and completed his medical studies at the Universities of Neuchâtel and Geneva, where he obtained his medical degree in 2014. He began his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Musculoskeletal System in 2015 at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), where he held the position of Chief resident in the Foot & Ankle Unit from 2022 to 2025 under the supervision of Dr Diogo Vieira Cardoso. Dr Ruffieux obtained his FMH specialist title in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Musculoskeletal System in 2025.

In 2025, he completed a two-months fellowship at the Foot and Ankle Institut in Brussels with Drs K. Buedts and B. Devos Bevernage, followed by a two-months fellowship with Dr Rabat in Barcelona. These experiences enabled him to exchange knowledge, observe, and practice advanced surgical techniques.

Dr Ruffieux's arrival at La Clinique du Pied will further enhance the management of patients suffering from foot and ankle disorders by reducing waiting times for consultations and surgical procedures. He will work in close collaboration with Dr Vienne, under his supervision, and will adopt La Clinique du Pied's treatment philosophy while progressively acquiring the surgical expertise required for the management of complex pathologies. 

On a more personal note, Dr Ruffieux is passionate about aviation (holding several active licences). He practiced fencing for 17 years and played American football for 5 years.

Dr Christopher Tzioupis

Dr Christopher Tzioupis, of Greek and American nationality, holds the FMH specialist title in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Musculoskeletal System. He joined La Clinique du Pied as an assistant physician in April 2022 and was promoted to the position of deputy chief of clinic in November 2025. Dr Tzioupis manages his own consultations, welcoming new patients referred to La Clinique du Pied, and collaborates closely with Dr Vienne in discussing both conservative and surgical treatment options. Dr Tzioupis assists Dr Vienne and Dr Ruffieux (starting December 1, 2025) during surgical procedures and also actively performs minor surgeries under Dr Vienne's supervision. He is actively involved in inpatient care, participating in ward rounds, and is responsible for coordinating the transmission of postoperative medical instructions.

Noémie Blanc

Native from canton Fribourg, Noémie Blanc obtains her federal capacity certificate as a pharmacy assistant in 2005 and a certificate of professional maturity in health and social in 2006. She then decided to complete her training and get her degree as a nurse at the Health Highschool of Fribourg (HEdS) in 2011. The subject of her bachelor was to analyze the literature on the role of preoperative patient information and particularly the role of this information on perioperative anxiety in elective surgery.

She worked as a nurse at la Clinique Valmont in orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation from 2011 to 2012, and in the unit of palliative care at Riviera-Chablais hospital from 2012. In 2016 she moved to Hirslanden Clinique Bois-Cerf in Lausanne (orthopedic surgery) and achieved a training in aroma therapy at l'Espace compétences in Cully (Usha Veda School) in 2018.

Noémie is specially interested in supporting patients from the preoperative period to the end of treatment. She joined our team in September 2018 and is in charge of patients preparation and supporting before and after surgery. She is collecting all patients pre- and postoperative datas, including photo documentation and pedobarographic analysis. She is managing  postoperative wound care and is regularly present as assistant in the operating room. She is also in charge of the statistics of our clinic and gives her recommendations in aroma therapy (prevention of preoperative anxiety and support in the wound healing). 

Claudia Cruz Feij

Marie Rose Sagna Vienne

Oriane Mooser

Juliane Sarasin