The field of internal medicine encompasses a multitude of specializations. The OMI internal medicine seminar is part of a rotating three-year curriculum that includes different core areas every year, which makes it possible to cover a broad variety of topics. This week’s focus was pulmonology, rheumatology, and oncology/hematology, specifically lymphoproliferative hematology. Throughout the course, which took place from March 30 to April 5, 2025, in-depth questions were raised and various patient cases were discussed.
Course director Dr. Kristin M. Burkart, who is a Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician and a Professor of Medicine at Columbia University, worked flawlessly with co-course director Dr. Guenter Weiss, who is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Internal Medicine II at the Medical University of Innsbruck. The power duo was joined by Dr. Laura Geraldino-Pardilla (Columbia University), Dr. Cara Agerstrand (Columbia University), Dr. Sunil Iyer (Columbia University), Dr. Christina Duftner (Medical University of Innsbruck), Dr. Judith Loeffler-Ragg (Natters Hospital), and Dr. Andreas Pircher (Medical University of Innsbruck).
When asked why she chose to serve pro bono at our seminar, first-time faculty member Dr. Cara Agerstrand explained that “It was an honor to teach at the Internal Medicine course and have the opportunity to interact with such talented young physicians from around the world. The seminar provided a unique opportunity for the fellows and faculty to exchange knowledge, refine clinical management, and enhance global medical collaboration. It was a privilege to contribute to this mission and support this very special program.”
The eight faculty members were positively surprised by the international group of fellows’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. The 37 fellows from 26 countries, including Albania, Ethiopia, Mexico, Poland, Tanzania, and Vietnam, discussed the interesting lectures, networked with one another, and learned from each other’s personal experiences. The participants stemmed from various disciplines within internal medicine, which led to fascinating conversations.
Dr. Burkart summarized, “This week’s seminar explored the cutting edge of malignant hematology, oncology, rheumatology, and pulmonary medicine. The unifying thread was the evolving therapeutic overlap across specialties. Yet, the heart of the course remained the learners – their sophisticated questions, global perspectives, and deep curiosity elevated every session. Complex cases became a shared conversation, making the global world of medicine feel connected and full of promise!”
Without a doubt, the highlights of the week were the interactive case-based sessions on Friday, which provided an opportunity for the fellows to work together as they answered questions based on case presentations by the faculty. Participants enthusiastically puzzled out the cases and voiced their thoughts in the learning-friendly atmosphere. “These interactive case-based sessions were designed to encourage critical thinking and real-world application of the week’s content. In small groups, fellows applied their newly gained knowledge to challenging clinical scenarios and explored the complexities of decision-making together. These sessions not only reinforced key concepts but transformed learning into an active and engaging experience,” explains the course director.
Sara Šundalić, MD
OMI fellow from Croatia
“I looked forward to the fellows’ case presentations. It was amazing to realize that we share so many similar perspectives on a global level: The need to be aware of rare conditions, the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach, the time sensitivity of certain conditions, and the need for prompt therapy, among others.”
Becky Abdissa Adugna, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“As a rheumatologist, I found Dr. Geraldino-Pardilla’s presentation on gout and pseudogout particularly engaging. Gout is one of the most common types of arthritis I encounter in my practice. Her insights reinforced my clinical approach and deepened my understanding of the topic.”
Quoc Thang Le, MD
OMI fellow from Vietnam
“Dr. Burkart, along with the other faculty members, was deeply committed to making sure that we not only absorbed essential knowledge but truly understood its relevance and application. The faculty carefully highlighted key concepts, emphasized clinical reasoning, and ensured that no one was left behind.”
