Other competencies
As co-head of the Department of Internal Medicine Therapies at the USZ and co-founder of Cancer Move Continuum Switzerland (CMCS), I have extensive experience in the care of patients with noncommunicable diseases, particularly in oncology, pulmonology, and cardiology. My professional focus is on evidence-based exercise medicine, the development of interprofessional care models, and the sustainable integration of exercise therapy into clinical care pathways. Using methods from implementation science, I design cross-sectoral structures that go beyond individual clinical conditions and enable the long-term integration of exercise interventions into routine care. In doing so, I combine clinical experience, leadership responsibilities, project development, research, and teaching.
Career History
| Since January 2024 | Co-Director of Internal Medicine Therapy, University Hospital of Zurich |
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| Since January 2024 | Co-founder and Project Manager of Cancer Move Continuum Switzerland (CMCS) |
| 01.2019 – 12.2023 | Head of Internal Medicine Therapy, University Hospital of Zurich |
| 09.2017 – 12.2018 | Physical Therapist, Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Zurich |
| 08.2011 – 07.2017 | Clinical Specialist in Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Winterthur Cantonal Hospital |
| 08.2010 – 08.2011 | Deputy Director of Physical Therapy, Bethanien Private Clinic, Zurich |
| 09.1999 – 08.2010 | Physical therapist specializing in pulmonary rehabilitation, Bethanien Private Clinic, Zurich |
Teaching activity
| Since January 2022 | Adjunct Professor, Internal Organs / Cardiorespiratory System. PT, OST – University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland |
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| 01.2017 – 12.2021 | Instructor, Internal Organs / Cardiorespiratory System. PT, ZHAW |
| 10.2009 – 10.2014 | Adjunct Professor, Hydrotherapy, ZHAW |
Most important memberships
- Oncoreha.ch
- Interest Group on Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Pulmonology (IGPTR-P)
- IGPTR-Akut, Founding Member (IGPTR-A)
- European Respiratory Society (ERS)
- ARIR – Association of Respiratory Failure Rehabilitation Specialists
Key Research Areas
The research focuses on exercise and training therapy, rehabilitative care for people with hematologic and solid tumors, and the development and implementation of clinical models for structured promotion of physical activity across the entire continuum of care.
Other areas of focus include prehabilitation prior to surgical or oncological treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation, behavioral change in chronic diseases, clinical decision support systems for exercise interventions, and the development of core outcome sets and measurement guidelines for rehabilitative interventions.
Publications
Show publicationsFurther
Third-Party Funded Project
2024–2027 Cancer Move Continuum Switzerland (CMCS)
Funding: Health Promotion Switzerland, CHF 1.14 million – Pilot project to implement exercise medicine in NCD patient pathways.
Book chapters and scholarly articles (selection)
- Manettas, A.; Greco, N. (2026). Exercise as a Common Thread—Stage-Specific Sports and Exercise Therapy for Breast Cancer. Sportphysio, 14(03), 152–157.
- Greco, N. (2025). “Exercise” in Oncology. Physioactive / Physioswiss.
- Greco, N.; Manettas, A. (2024). Project Cancer Move Continuum Switzerland. Swiss Oncology and Hematology Congress (SOHC). [file:2]
- Engst, R.; Kobleder, A.; Wiskemann, J.; Greco, N.; Manettas, A.; Heinrich, S.; Tanner, C.; Koller, A. (2024). Physical activity in people with lung cancer during systemic antitumor therapy in a nurse-led oncology outpatient clinic—development of a person-centered physical activity concept with patient participation. 36th German Cancer Congress.
- Greco, N.; Barfuss-Schneider, C. (2022). Oxygen Therapy and Non-Invasive Ventilation. In: Physiotherapy for Chronic Obstructive Airway and Lung Diseases. Springer.
- Greco, N. (2022). Medical History (Subjective Assessment). In: Physiotherapy for Chronic Obstructive Airway and Lung Diseases. Springer.
- Greco, N. (2023). Sport and Exercise in Prostate Cancer. Living with Cancer, Issue 7.
- Greco, N. (2020). Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). In: Guideline on Geriatric Physical Therapy. Urban & Fischer.
- Greco, N. (2020). Community-Acquired Pneumonia. In: Guideline on Geriatric Physical Therapy. Urban & Fischer.
- Greco, N.; Berthold, H. K. (2020). Pulmonary Diseases. In: Guideline Geriatric Physiotherapy. Urban & Fischer.