Since 1993, the Open Medical Institute has partnered with Weill Cornell Medicine to educate and empower young cardiologists from around the world. This week was no exception, with 35 fellows from 27 countries, including Albania, the Czech Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Slovakia, Tanzania, and Vietnam, gathering at Schloss Arenberg to learn from ten top US and Austrian experts in the field. The course is part of a three-year curriculum, with this week’s core areas being ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, transcatheter interventions, newer anticoagulants, and preoperative evaluation.
“This year’s cardiology seminar covered a variety of topics, including the latest structural heart disease interventions, the diagnosis and treatment of inherited cardiac conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and aortopathies, and reviews of important techniques such as right heart catheterization and renal denervation, as well as emerging technologies, including AI-assisted analysis of plaque on cardiac CT angiograms,” summarized the course director and Director of Consultative Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Robert J. Kim.
The course director taught alongside the Austrian co-course director, Dr. Irene Marthe Lang, Deputy Chair of the Department of Cardiology at the Medical University of Vienna, and eight colleagues, making the course a great success. Dr. Robert M. Minutello, Dr. Nupoor Narula, and Dr. George Thomas (Weill Cornell Medicine), as well as Dr. Christian Hengstenberg and Dr. Thomas Binder (Medical University of Vienna), and Dr. Johann Auer (General Hospital St. Josef Braunau), comprised the remainder of the faculty cohort.
When asked about the uniqueness of the OMI’s program, faculty member Dr. Narula explained, “The seminars are an exceptional and rewarding experience for all involved. The bidirectional exchange of information and ideas between the faculty and participants enhances learning, solidifies concepts, encourages professional growth and leadership, and builds global connections. Just as importantly, the seminars provide an opportunity to bring back this exchange to home institutions to further optimize patient care, a seemingly unique way to provide medical education and care beyond borders.”
The fellows eagerly listened to cutting-edge lectures, engaged in in-depth discussions, and presented their own cases. The hands-on training sessions led by dedicated representatives of Medtronic were one of the highlights for the participants. Fellows could test their hands-on skills at four different high-fidelity simulation stations, using state-of-the-art Medtronic equipment. The stations focused on TAVI/TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement), leadless pacing Micra pacemaker implantation, renal denervation, and cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation. At each of the stations, Medtronic team members guided the fellows through the complex procedures and the proper management of the simulators.
Special thanks to Medtronic – Yanis Dumpis, Azhar Nugmanova, Charbel Sawaya, and Bilgehan Ozcil – for their outstanding support! What an honor to see two OMI alumni as part of the Medtronic team.
Dang Duy Quang Pham, MD, MSc
OMI fellow from Vietnam
“I had the opportunity to apply my surgical skills using high-fidelity simulators for wireless Micra pacemaker implantation and cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation. These are truly state-of-the-art techniques that I had only dreamed of before. I never imagined I would get to perform them myself.”
Sura Markos Gobu, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“Dr. Binder presented aortic wall thickening cases diagnosed by echo in patients with Takayasu arteritis. He also discussed rare and often missed cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, highlighting the importance of echocardiography in diagnosing challenging conditions. We were all captivated by the insights he shared, emphasizing the clinical applications of echo in a way that left a lasting impression on us.”
Veera Taoubi, MD
OMI fellow from Estonia
“Meeting colleagues from around the world was an invaluable experience. We exchanged perspectives on how cardiology is practiced in different healthcare systems, which broadened my understanding and appreciation of our profession. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
Christoph Plank, MD, MSc
OMI fellow from Austria
“The seminar featured highly engaging simulator sessions led by Medtronic, during which I was able to implant my first leadless pacemaker and perform a cryoballoon ablation on a simulated patient with atrial fibrillation. It was an incredible hands-on experience.”
