From September 21-27, 2025, 39 young physicians from 25 countries across four continents, including Azerbaijan, Croatia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan, came together at Schloss Arenberg for an exciting seminar on spinal neurosurgery. This dynamic group represented one of the largest and most diverse fellow cohorts we have ever hosted.
The ten individuals who made up this week’s strong panel of educators impressed the fellows with their deep insights and advice. The course was led by none other than the power duo, Dr. Roger Härtl from Weill Cornell Medicine and Dr. Claudius Thomé from the Medical University of Innsbruck. Course director Dr. Härtl served the OMI program for the 20th time, and the co-course director joined the initiative for the 24th time. The remainder of the expert faculty was made up of Dr. Lawrence G. Lenke (Columbia University), Dr. Osama Kashlan (U.S. Air Force), Dr. Kai-Ming Fu, Dr. K. Daniel Riew, and Dr. Michael S. Virk (Weill Cornell Medicine), Dr. Massimo Balsano (University Hospital, Verona, Italy), Dr. Harry H. Gebhard (Rehaklinik Dussnang, Switzerland), and Dr. Bernhard Meyer (Technical University of Munich, Germany).
This week’s course focused on the comprehensive management of spinal disorders, combining in-depth lectures on current concepts with hands-on training in advanced surgical techniques. Highlights included minimally invasive procedures, spinal trauma, and strategies for addressing complex pathologies, with an emphasis on clinical decision-making and safe, evidence-based care. Through interactive case discussions and an anatomy practical workshop, participants gained skills directly applicable to improving patient outcomes in their home institutions.
The hands-on training sessions provided a unique opportunity for fellows to practice their surgical techniques as well as work with state-of-the-art equipment under the guidance of the world-renowned faculty and skilled vendors from Medtronic and Zeiss. At three stations, fellows could test their expertise with O-arm spinal 3D navigation, microscope lumbar decompression, as well as cervical decompression and fusion.
We would like to thank Medtronic and Zeiss for supporting the lab sessions, which are always a highlight for the course participants!
The course director has been supporting the OMI since 2005, and we are grateful for his immense commitment to our cause. He explained that “Having supported the OMI’s programs since 2005, the decision to teach at these seminars year after year is motivated by a commitment to global medical education and a strong belief in international knowledge exchange. The unique format brings together talented physicians from diverse backgrounds, fostering professional growth, cultural understanding, and the advancement of spine care across borders. Contributing to these seminars is continually rewarding, as it enables sharing the latest surgical techniques and building lasting mentorships with future leaders in neurosurgery and spine surgery.”
Žiga Samsa, MD
OMI fellow from Slovenia
Peter Magembe Mrimba, MD
OMI fellow from Tanzania
Marcos Vinicius Sangrador Deitos, MD
OMI fellow from Mexico
