From July 12 to 18, 2026, Schloss Arenberg once again became a meeting place for the next generation of urologists during the annual ESU/ Weill Cornell Master Class in Urology. 37 fellows from 30 countries, eleven of whom were nominated by the European School of Urology (ESU), were eager to learn from 14 internationally renowned faculty members.
We were thrilled to partner with ESU and Weill Cornell Medicine to make this educational event such a success. This week’s course, which is part of a three-year curriculum, focused on prostate cancer, BPH, andrology, and reconstructive urology.
The class was led by course director Dr. David Ralph, who has been Professor of Urology at University College London Hospitals and University College London since 1996, and co-course director Dr. Douglas S. Scherr, who is currently a Professor of Urology and Clinical Director of Urologic Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. The course director was a newcomer to the OMI programs, while the master class marked the co-course director’s seventh participation.
The remainder of the faculty cohort was made up of Dr. Bashir Al Hussein, Dr. Jonathan Gal, and Dr. Timothy D. McClure, all from Weill Cornell Medicine; Dr. Gunter de Win from Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium; Dr. Juan Gómez Rivas from Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Spain; as well as Dr. Tamsin Greenwell and Dr. Zafer Tandogdu from University College London Hospitals, UK. Dr. Tandogdu joined remotely via Zoom.
The course concentrated on genitourinary reconstruction, prostate cancer, infections and lower urinary tract symptoms, and benign prostatic diseases. There were interactive lectures, case presentations by fellows, and hands-on training on laparoscopy, endoscopy, and MRI reading.
When asked, the course director explained why he supports the OMI’s educational programs in a thoughtful statement: “The OMI educational courses have been running for over 30 years and are highly popular and in great demand. They are unique in that they are interactive, with hands-on sessions that are loved by the participants. Fellows come from all over the world, make lifelong friendships, and learn about how others work in diverse situations and with different resources. The courses also always have international speakers who are experts in their field. By keeping in touch with the OMI, where mentorship is provided, all fellows are helped in their subsequent careers.”
The hands-on training was, as always, the highlight of the week. Two practical workshops allowed fellows to test their expertise at MRI reading as well as develop their laparoscopic and endoscopic skills using advanced simulation equipment provided by Olympus. They were guided by experienced tutors, ESU vendor Ms. Kristel Klein Hesselink, and Olympus vendors Ms. Maria Strauss and Ms. Catrinel Vasile. The tutors who supported the fellows were Dr. Jelle O. Barentsz (The Netherlands), Dr. Marcin Jarzemski (Poland), Dr. Daniel Oliveira-Reis (Portugal), Dr. David Oswald (Austria), and Dr. Sérgio Pereira (Portugal).
Some of the laparoscopy techniques practiced were peg transfer, cutting a circle, needle guidance, and laparoscopic suture single-knot tying. Amongst the endoscopic methods were endoscopic stone treatment, including flexible cystoscopy, rigid cystoscopy, semi-rigid ureteroscopy, and flexible ureteroscopy. Various fellows practiced vesico-urethral anastomosis, which is part of radical prostatectomy. Additionally, participants expanded their basic MRI reading skills through a series of case examples and discussions under expert guidance. For many fellows, the workshops offered valuable experience with technologies and procedures that are not yet routinely available in their home countries.
Raisa Galstyan, MD
OMI fellow from Armenia
“I had the unique opportunity to practice intermediate laparoscopy techniques with a tutor. He guided me through performing a bladder-urethral anastomosis, and his explanations and practical tips were clear, precise, and extremely helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on session.”
Maximilian Haider, MD, FEBU
OMI fellow from Germany
“Course director Dr. David Ralph’s state-of-the-art lecture about benign genital reconstruction included many interesting cases that helped us learn and understand what can be achieved even in complex pathologies nowadays.”
Ibsa Daba Kumsa, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“As the sole urologist working in a busy hospital, more than 50% of the patients who visit my clinic present with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH and other pathologies. Therefore, I found the sessions on the management and approach to BPH particularly valuable. I gained great insight into aquablation, UroLift, and HoLEP.”
Martina Moriconi, MD
OMI fellow from Italy
“The week began with lectures by Dr. Tamsin Greenwell. She is one of Europe’s leading specialists in reconstructive and functional urology, a field I am truly passionate about. All faculty’s expertise and enthusiasm embodied the qualities of outstanding urologists and inspiring leaders, providing role models that we, as young specialists, look up to.”
Vasileios Panagopoulos, MD, MSc
OMI fellow from Greece
“One of my highlights of the week was the workshop on prostate mpMRI interpretation. Finally, someone showed us how to approach and read a prostate mpMRI properly and systematically! It was one of those sessions that remind you why continuous learning is so rewarding.”
