Dermatology can affect more than just the skin. It is a window into overall health, confidence, and quality of life. This year’s dermatology seminar took place from April 19 to 25, 2026, with 33 fellows from 24 countries present, including Albania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan.
The dermatology departments at both Weill Cornell Medicine and the Medical University of Vienna are known for their personalized care, expertly trained physicians, and cutting-edge research. Additionally, both centers play a key role in teaching and training future dermatologists. As such, we are thrilled to once again partner with them in the endeavor to educate young dermatologists from all over the world.
“The course dealt in detail with inflammatory skin diseases, genetic skin diseases, sexually transmitted disorders, and congenital abnormalities. The fellows attending the seminar were uniformly outstanding. There was excellent communication between the faculty and the participants. We all learned a great deal. Indeed, the exchange of knowledge was not all in one direction. The faculty obtained many ideas and techniques from the fellows,” summarized the course director.
The faculty cohort was led by the power duo of Dr. Richard D. Granstein from Weill Cornell Medicine and Dr. Georg Stary from the Medical University of Vienna. The course director was present for the nineteenth time, and the co-course director for the tenth time. The two have been teaching together for over five years now and have made a huge impact on countless physicians’ lives.
Dr. Granstein is the George W. Hambrick, Jr. Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. He described his impressions of the seminar as well as his dedication to the cause in a meaningful statement: “We had a most successful dermatology seminar. It was evident that the fellows were committed to returning to their countries and to using the new knowledge they acquired for the benefit of their patients. In this way, our seminar, and the OMI seminars generally, contribute to improved health and well-being around the world.”
The course directors were joined by top faculty from both the USA and Austria. From the USA, we had pediatric and adolescent dermatologist Dr. Karen Chernoff, who taught for the sixth time, as well as Dr. Alison Dempsey and Dr. Henry J. Lee, who both served for the first time. Dr. Andrew F. Alexis joined the course again remotely via Zoom. From Austria, we had Dr. Georg Stingl with 21 participations, Dr. Simona Saluzzo with sixth participations, and Dr. Stefan Woehrl, who was present for the eighteenth time.
One of the many highlights of the seminar was the lectures given by a true OMI legend: Dr. Georg Stingl. The expert is well-renowned not only throughout Austria, but also in the United States and in the fellows’ various home countries. His major scientific accomplishments include the discovery of Langerhans cells as immunocytes and their role as targets of physicochemical agents, drugs, and HIV; the use of genetically modified melanoma cells as vaccines for patients with far advanced disease; and the phenotypic characterization of innate lymphoid cells in normal and diseased human skin, amongst many others. Both faculty and fellows alike were enraptured by Dr. Stingl’s presentation skills and his depth of knowledge, which he willingly shared. After his lectures, Dr. Stingl patiently answered the fellows’ many questions.
Alina Dragomir, MD
OMI fellow from Moldova
“It was evident during her lectures that Dr. Karen Chernoff is truly passionate about her work and about sharing her expertise, which I greatly appreciated. I also had the opportunity to discuss one of my clinical cases with her, and her thoughtful and supportive feedback was extremely valuable.”
Mária Oravcová, MD
OMI fellow from Slovakia
“Dr. Georg Stingl discussed connective tissue disorders. He shed light on the fascinating world of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and autoreactive B cells, and introduced some remarkable therapeutic innovations, such as CAR T-cells and T cell enhancers. His enthusiasm really drew us into this still largely unknown field.”
Lishan Tefera, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“Dr. Alison Dempsey’s lecture was insightful. She talked about the treatment options for vitiligo and alopecia. I gained valuable knowledge and skills, although I still face resource limitations in prescribing the FDA-approved JAK inhibitors in my home country.”
