Not many individuals have a profession where truly every single second counts. For pediatric emergency physicians, this sort of acute urgency is part of their day-to-day. Some of these pediatricians are the 35 fellows from 28 countries who gathered at Schloss Arenberg from May 11 to 17, 2025, to learn insider tips and novel methods from five top experts.
The international group of fellows was taught by none other than course director Dr. Jill Posner from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and co-course director Dr. Burkhard Simma from the University Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, Austria. Dr. Posner brought a top team of US physicians with her, namely Dr. Payal K. Gala, Dr. Megan E. Lavoie, and Dr. Ronald F. Marchese. The course director joined us for the third time this week, and the co-course director was with us for the 14th time. Dr. Lavoie taught at the OMI once before, while both Drs. Gala and Marchese served our educational program for the first time.
This week’s course focused on the recognition and management of pediatric emergencies, with an emphasis on practical, case-based learning. Fellows engaged in a procedure and point-of-care ultrasound workshop, simulation, small-group discussion, and interactive lectures covering topics such as neonatal emergencies, sepsis, altered mental status, airway and respiratory emergencies, trauma, and burns, to name just a few. The course emphasized clinical reasoning, teamwork, and strategies that can be adapted to diverse healthcare settings.
The course director explains why she continuously supports our program in a heartfelt statement: “The OMI is a truly unique and innovative program that fosters meaningful exchange and has a real-world impact. This is my third time teaching here at the OMI in Salzburg, and each experience has been more rewarding than the last. The unique opportunity to work with incredibly smart, engaging fellows from around the world, who are eager to learn and bring their knowledge back to improve care in their home countries, was both inspiring and humbling. It has been a meaningful part of my professional journey, and I am already looking forward to coming back again.”
Monday and Tuesday were the most eventful days of the course. These two days were not only filled with lectures, but they also contained hands-on training workshops. On the first day, fellows were split into small groups that rotated between stations focused on minor procedures, including emergencies of the hand, and basic ultrasound practices. The physicians tested their skills and knowledge of various techniques, such as ring removal, digital block (numbing of the finger), trephination, the removal of foreign bodies from the nose or ear, intraosseous cannulation, and tracheostomy tube exchange. The point-of-care ultrasound station allowed participants to immediately apply the knowledge they gained during Dr. Marchese’s lecture on the same topic. As this special ultrasound method is becoming a staple in ERs, the fellows were eager to improve their skills. Some of the imaging done was on the liver, the bladder, the spleen, and the heart. These hands-on sessions offered the participants a unique opportunity to solidify their understanding of basic as well as complex concepts.
On Tuesday, the excitement continued with interactive case presentations by the faculty conducted in small groups. During these sessions, fellows examined various case scenarios provided by the faculty members and performed a step-by-step diagnosis as a team. Some of the presentations focused on anaphylaxis in a young boy, a foreign body removal in a two-year-old, and an infant with nonaccidental trauma. According to Dr. Lavoie, the interactive workshop was highly beneficial to the fellows because “it allowed the participants to articulate their thoughts and exchange opinions.” After the cases, the cohort reassembled as one to discuss their findings. The fellows explained that they enjoyed how interactive the sessions were, everyone’s engagement, and the ability to compare their own treatment methods with those of their global colleagues.
Samuel Negash Amde, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“Dr. Marchese’s hands-on demonstration of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was the highlight of the week. In my practice back home, the lack of radiologists after hours has forced me to perform ultrasounds without proper training. Dr. Marchese’s session gave me the confidence and inspiration to pursue POCUS further.”
Olga Bogacz-Andrychowska, MD
OMI fellow from Poland
“Dr. Posner taught us about children with special needs and the equipment they require. I loved that she stressed that the last thing their parents want is an emergency department visit, so we should always treat them with empathy and ask about their specific needs.”
MarĂa JosĂ© de Lourdes Piana, MD
OMI fellow from Mexico
“I was not only able to listen to interesting cases by fellows from all over the world, but also to discuss what we learned from every patient. I realized that every one of us, no matter the available resources, works hard every day to achieve the best possible outcome for our country’s children.”
