Neonatology is a specialization which deals with the complex health issues related to newborns. The role of a neonatologist comes into play when complications in pregnancy, premature birth, or other birth defects, amongst other aspects, occur.
Professionals from both the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Medical University of Graz gathered at Schloss Arenberg from March 17-23, 2024, to teach the Neonatology seminar. The cohort consisted of course director Dr. Eric C. Eichenwald, co-course director Dr. Berndt Urlesberger, Dr. Anne M. Ades, Dr. Kathleen A. Gibbs, Dr. Nadja Haiden, and last but not least, Dr. David Munson.
The content of the neonatology seminar covered many critical topics in the care of newborns, including respiratory, infection, nutritional and neurological topics. We also included primers on quality improvement methodology and concepts of patient safety that the fellows can bring back to their home NICUs. New this seminar was a simulation workshop to help the fellows’ ability to teach others using simulation-based education.
The faculty spoke on interesting topics, including “HIE/Therapeutic Hypothermia”, “Delayed Cord Clamping”, “Parenteral Nutrition”, and “Preterm Brain Injury”, which enriched the fellows’ medical knowledge and skills. Throughout the week, fellows and faculty not only engaged in intellectual lectures, but also enjoyed cultural activities, such as walks through the historic city of Salzburg, traditional Austrian cuisine, and a classical music concert.
The faculty and fellows all share the same goal: To help babies all around the world function to their fullest potential. We are excited to announce that this week, we welcomed 40 fellows from 27 countries, including China, Colombia, Ghana, Poland, and South Africa! These incredible numbers not only make this one of the biggest groups ever present at an OMI seminar but also one of the most international ones. Thanks to a generous donation by the Berndorf Privatstiftung, the OMI could open its doors to three fellows from Bogota, Colombia, namely Drs. Isabela Franco Arce, Luz Murcia, and Lina Maria Saza Mejia. It is always wonderful to welcome representatives from new countries to our expanding network!
In the below statement Dr. Eichenwald describes the reasons why he, and the other faculty members, travel to Salzburg to teach at the OMI seminars:
“Our faculty from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) volunteered to travel to Salzburg for the OMI neonatology seminar for a few reasons. Most importantly was the opportunity to teach and learn from OMI fellows from all over the world, and to contribute to their development as neonatologists. Our hope was to stimulate their intellectual curiosity and promote a culture of lifelong learning to bring back to their home countries and improve local neonatal care.”
According to the fellows, one of the highlights of the week was the “Simulation Workshop” by Dr. Ades. During this two-hour session, Dr. Ades showed an explanatory video and slides, facilitated group discussions, and conducted small group breakouts with the ultimate goal to get a basic crash course on how to start doing simulations.
Ralitsa Bekyarova, MD
OMI Fellow from Bulgaria
“Dr. Haiden’s parenteral nutrition lecture had a profound effect on me because in my country the conditions are not as good. But she gave me hope that we can achieve anything if we fight for it.”
Lina Maria Saza Mejia, MD
OMI Fellow from Colombia
“Dr. Eichenwald talked about apnea of prematurity. What impressed me most was the management approaches he presented and the valuable discussion with my international colleagues.”
Loshnee Meryl Nair, MD
OMI Fellow from South Africa
“Dr. Ades’ workshop opened my mind to so many different quality improvement projects that I would like to implement in my hospital, which I can now do as a simulation rather than as a didactic lecture.”
Wing Kan Julianna Bao, MD
OMI Fellow from China
“It is a young clinician’s dream come true to learn about the highlights of diagnosis and management of peculiar patient cases from around the world.”
Anna Fokuoh-Boadu, MD
OMI Fellow from Ghana
“The seminar has given me the tools to initiate new conversations about patient safety and quality improvement for patient care back home.”
