The fellows’ participation during the neurology seminar was truly exceptional. The 35 international participants from 25 countries stood out for their sophistication, curiosity, and eagerness to learn as much as possible. They asked the faculty a multitude of questions and made the most of the networking opportunities throughout the week.
The course, which took place from May 3 to 9, 2026, is part of a three-year curriculum. The topics this week centered on the following subdivisions: vascular, epilepsy, neuro-immunology, sleep, neuro-infectious diseases, neuro-oncology, spine, and general neurology.
Under the expert guidance of course director Dr. Joshua Weaver, who was present for the fourth time in Salzburg, and co-course director Dr. Eugen Trinka, who served the program for the 19th time, the seminar was a resounding success. Dr. Weaver is Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine, and an Assistant Attending Neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Trinka is Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Paracelsus Medical University, Christian Doppler University Hospital (CDK), and Head of the Neuroscience Institute of the CDK.
The remainder of the teaching cohort was made up of Dr. Susan Gauthier, Dr. Jacqueline B. Stone, and Dr. Hai Ethan Hoang (Weill Cornell), Dr. Bernhard Iglseder, Dr. Monika Killer-Oberpfalzer, Dr. Nele E. Kappeller, Dr. Georg Pilz, Dr. Pilar Bosque-Varela, and Dr. Cornelia Roesler (General Hospital of Salzburg), as well as Dr. Ambra Stefani (Medical University of Innsbruck). Dr. Killer-Oberpfalzer participated for the 26th time, Dr. Iglseder for the 11th time, Dr. Pilz for the third time, and Drs. Gauthier and Roesler for the second time. Drs. Stone, Hoang, Stefani, and Bosque-Varela joined for the first time.
The course director summarized the week as, “Fellows and faculty alike got to learn about the many important updates in autoimmune neurology, infectious disease, stroke, epilepsy, and many other topics in the field. The fellows brought a high level of passion and eagerness to learn, and I think the experience was enriching for all of us.”
On Tuesday and Thursday, participants presented cases they brought from their own hospitals, including Guillain‐Barré Syndrome, neurological deterioration, stroke, rare degenerative diseases, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy. Faculty and fellows discussed each case, often revisiting concepts introduced earlier in the lectures. This immediate combination of learned theory and personal practice enhanced the fellows’ future problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Faculty member Dr. Susan Gauthier is a Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she serves as Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center. She leads a translational research program focused on uncovering the biological mechanisms of multiple sclerosis using advanced quantitative neuroimaging. The expert last lectured as part of the OMI program in 2015. Now, eleven years later, she has returned to Salzburg. In a meaningful statement, she reflects on the differences she noticed over the years:
“I had the privilege of teaching neurology fellows at the Open Medical Institute in 2015, and returning 11 years later has been an absolute pleasure. What stands out most is how much the seminar has evolved. The curriculum feels even more structured and focused, while still leaving room for strong discussion. The fellows have been highly engaged, asking thoughtful and clinically relevant questions that reflect both curiosity and a serious commitment to improving patient care. It has been rewarding to see the continued growth of the OMI program and to be part of it again.”
Iva Markulin Antičević, MD
OMI fellow from Croatia
“Dr. Stone spoke about gliomas and neuro-oncology, an area that is becoming increasingly important in everyday neurological practice. Having the opportunity to learn from someone with such expertise and experience was incredibly valuable to me. Listening to her inspired me to continue learning about this field and advocating for its greater recognition and development in Croatia.”
Michael Fawale, MD
OMI fellow from Nigeria
“I always made the most of the invaluable networking opportunities with other fellows and faculty. I learned that deep brain stimulation is available and more affordable in Eastern Europe, prompting an Armenian fellow and me to explore potential referrals from Nigeria, a partnership that could foster capacity development in both countries.”
Andreea Plesa, MD
OMI fellow from Romania
“My highlight of the week was the opportunity to meet Dr. Trinka. He is a professor with vast experience in epileptology, and it was a great honor to attend his lectures. His presentation on the treatment and management of acute symptomatic seizures clarified many important concepts and helped me understand this topic much more clearly.”
“Dr. Weaver’s presentation on small fiber neuropathy was extremely valuable. It really made me want to apply the diagnostic techniques and questionnaires that were presented in my own clinical practice. In the future, I hope that we will also have access to all the diagnostic methods discussed during the lecture.”
