Four questions for Lisa Markhardt
«A holistic approach is very important to me»
Dr. Lisa Markhardt has been working at the ZIO since last year - as an oncologist and haematologist, and as a specialist in traditional Chinese medicine. On February 1, 2026, she will also take over the management of the Zurich site and the care of most patients from Dr. Nona Shayegi. As site manager, she aims to further develop and improve collaboration between the specialists involved in medical, therapeutic and psycho-oncological care.
Dr. Markhardt, you have been working for the ZIO for around a year. How did you come to work at the Center for Integrative Oncology?
I made a conscious decision to move to the ZIO because a holistic approach to cancer treatment is very important to me. I am a conventional doctor, but I am also convinced that complementary medical services and space for emotional and psychological issues are also needed. Patients should feel heard and seen. At the ZIO, we can tailor treatment to the individual in order to improve tolerance to therapy, reduce side effects and support the patient's own physical strength.
You are an oncologist and hematologist, but you also offer acupuncture.
Exactly, so I embody this integrative approach. I worked for five years in Hamburg in a clinic for hematology, oncology and autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation before moving to Switzerland, where I worked for three years in oncology and in the breast center at the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen, where I was a senior oncologist. While still in Germany, I continued my training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specializing in acupuncture.
From February 1, 2026, you will also be in charge of the Zurich location. What appeals to you about this task?
Of course, I will continue to mainly treat people with oncological and hematological diseases. As site manager, I would also like to further develop and improve cooperation between the various specialist groups involved in the medical, therapeutic and psycho-oncological care of our patients along the treatment pathway. I am also looking forward to managing the staff: I want to offer my team a place where they enjoy coming to work every day.
The head physician, Dr. Nona Shayegi, will be leaving the ZIO Zurich at the end of January 2026. How is patient care secured?
Dr. Shayegi and I have already been able to inform most of the patients personally. The plan is that your patients will mainly be cared for by me in future. If individual patients already have caregivers from their previous treatment, they will take over their care. We are convinced that care will be assured in all cases and is in the patients' best interests.
Dr. med. Lisa Markhardt is a specialist in oncology and haematology. After working in Hamburg and St. Gallen, she joined the ZIO in January 2025. In addition to treating oncological and haematological diseases, Dr. Markhardt also offers practices from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture.
