Rehabilitation Medicine, also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that helps patients restore movement and alleviate pain. The aim is to maximize patients’ functional health so they can get back to their daily routines and activities.
This week, 30 fellows from 21 various countries gathered at Schloss Arenberg to learn how to treat patients who need rehabilitation care, treatment, and technology in the best way possible. The Salzburg Weill Cornell Seminar in Rehabilitation Medicine was led by Dr. Joel Stein, Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Dr. Richard Crevenna, Head of the Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna. The expert faculty was concluded by Dr. Hana F. Azizi, Dr. Michelle Chi, and Dr. Jason Edwards from the USA, and Dr. Gerold Ebenbichler, Dr. Katharina Kerschan-Schindl, and Dr. Othmar Schuhfried from Austria. After exciting lectures, fellows had the possibility to present their cases on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. Five of the presented cases were chosen by the faculty to be published in the OMI Case Library.
Wednesday afternoon offered faculty and fellows a free afternoon to relax and discover more of beautiful Salzburg and its surroundings. The faculty decided to visit Hallstatt, an ancient village in a breath-taking mountain setting near Salzburg. On Thursday Dr. Hana F. Azizi and Dr. Michelle Chi welcomed fellows to an ultrasound workshop in cooperation with Siemens, providing a chance to improve their practical skills. The workshops focused on musculoskeletal conditions and pain in the shoulder and knee.
After the post seminar test on Friday, fellows had another free afternoon before gathering at Schloss Arenberg again to enjoy one last evening together, celebrating the farewell reception and the end of the seminar week with a formal dinner.
Joel Stein, MD
Course Director
I am enjoying my 6th OMI seminar in Salzburg this week and my enthusiasm for OMI and its programs continues to grow. The opportunity to interact with colleagues from many different countries and backgrounds, and share medical information and cross-cultural perspectives is unique, and enriches the professional lives of all seminar participants – both faculty and fellows. I look forward to continuing my participation in future years, and working with OMI as it continues its exceptional work and expands its geographic and programmatic scope.
