Georgia, a country of 3.9 million inhabitants and 22,500 physicians, has long been an important focus of the OMI’s educational efforts. With 829 Georgian physicians having benefited from the educational programs in Salzburg to date, the OMI has reached an important share of the country’s medical community.
In 2026, the OMI expanded its educational footprint in Georgia through two satellite symposia: one in May, featuring faculty from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and focusing on Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Melanoma, and another in late October dedicated to Pediatric Gastroenterology.
Led by Dr. Almuthe C. Hauer from Graz, Austria, the latest symposium gathered 38 participants from Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Portugal at Tbilisi State Medical University for two days of expert lectures, clinical exchange, and career development discussions. Topics covered included pediatric food intolerances and their clinical manifestations, celiac disease, and the role of probiotics in pediatric gastroenterology. Dr. Hauer also delivered an inspiring motivational lecture on career development in pediatric medicine, offering the fellows valuable insights and encouragement for their future careers.
One of the local participants shared their experience: “This was my first time participating in an OMI event, and I must say that my expectations were exceeded. The atmosphere was very friendly, open, and engaging. The topics were very interesting and insightful, and even though the discussions lasted almost six hours, it was easy to stay focused because of the relevance and importance of the topics. I have to say that two days were not enough to spend time with the amazing people and speakers who made this symposium so exciting. Perhaps future editions could be longer!”
The Dean of Tbilisi State Medical University, Dr. Tinatin Tkemaladze, remarked: “We strongly believe that such educational initiatives and international academic partnerships are essential for the continuous development of our university. Bringing distinguished international lecturers and experts to Tbilisi contributes significantly to strengthening our educational and research activities, improving clinical practice, and creating new opportunities for future collaboration.”
Many thanks to OMI alumna Dr. Mariam Ghughunishvili for organizing the event, and to Dr. Almuthe C. Hauer for generously sharing her time and expertise.
Read the report by Dr. Mariam Ghughunishvili below, along with an official statement from Dean Dr. Tinatin Tkemaladze.
Official Report by Dr. Mariam Ghughunishvili
The OMI satellite symposium in Pediatric Gastroenterology, held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on October 26-27, 2026, was a very successful educational and professional event that brought together pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists from Georgia and several other countries.
The symposium welcomed 38 participants, including 27 Georgian colleagues and 11 international participants. The international group included colleagues from Armenia (8), Russia (1), Uzbekistan (1), and Portugal (1). Participants represented the fields of general pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology. The event provided an excellent opportunity for specialists from different backgrounds and healthcare systems to share experiences, discuss clinical challenges, and strengthen professional connections.
The scientific program consisted of six lectures, all delivered by Dr. Almuthe C. Hauer, whose outstanding expertise, extensive clinical experience, and exceptional teaching skills made the symposium particularly memorable. Her lectures were engaging, dynamic, and grounded in the latest scientific evidence and international guidelines. Despite the intensive program, Dr. Hauer maintained the audience’s attention throughout, combining up-to-date scientific knowledge with practical insights and clinical recommendations that could be directly applied to everyday pediatric practice. The topics addressed relevant challenges in pediatric gastroenterology, providing participants with valuable information not only for improving clinical decision-making but also for developing their scientific knowledge and professional perspectives.
Following the first day of the symposium, our guests visited the Museum of Life Sciences at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU). The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Tinatin Tkemaladze, personally welcomed the visitors and introduced them to the university, its history, and its academic environment. The day concluded with a traditional Georgian evening, where participants enjoyed Georgian cuisine and hospitality in a warm and friendly atmosphere. More importantly, this gathering created an opportunity to build new friendships, strengthen existing professional relationships, and establish connections that we hope will continue well beyond the symposium.
The second day featured an important motivational lecture, which formed a substantial part of the program. This session encouraged participants to reflect on broader aspects of pediatric gastroenterology, including healthcare policy, the development of the specialty, and opportunities for professional education and advanced training. It highlighted the importance of creating better educational pathways, strengthening professional structures, and investing in the next generation of pediatric gastroenterologists. This perspective was very relevant for our region and provided valuable inspiration for future professional and institutional development.
The second day was also dedicated to interactive case discussions. Two challenging clinical cases were presented, allowing participants to benefit from Dr. Hauer’s expert opinion, practical guidance, and valuable diagnostic suggestions. Particularly appreciated was her willingness to go beyond the academic discussion and explore possibilities for further diagnostic support and international collaboration when needed.
For us, hosting this OMI Satellite Symposium in Georgia was very meaningful. It represented an important opportunity to bring internationally recognized expertise closer to Georgian pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists, facilitate access to current scientific knowledge, and encourage a culture of continuous professional development. I would like to express sincere gratitude to OMI for making this valuable educational opportunity possible in Georgia and for its continued commitment to supporting international medical education and collaboration. Our deepest appreciation goes to Dr. Almuthe C. Hauer for her generosity in sharing her knowledge and experience, her inspiring lectures, her thoughtful guidance during the case discussions, and her warm and encouraging presence throughout the symposium.
We sincerely hope this event marks the beginning of further fruitful cooperation among OMI, Tbilisi State Medical University, and our colleagues from Georgia and abroad. We look forward to welcoming you to Georgia again!
Mariam Ghughunishvili MD, PhD
Assistant Professor and Pediatrician | Tbilisi State Medical University, G. Zhvania Pediatric University Clinic Tbilisi, Georgia
Official Statement by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Tbilisi State Medical University
The OMI satellite symposium in Pediatric Gastroenterology was a highly valuable and productive academic event for Tbilisi State Medical University. It provided an excellent opportunity for our academic staff, pediatricians, and pediatric gastroenterologists to gain up-to-date scientific knowledge, exchange clinical experience, and engage in meaningful discussions with internationally recognized experts.
I would like to highlight the remarkable contribution of Dr. Almuthe C. Hauer, whose profound knowledge, extensive clinical expertise, and inspiring approach to teaching greatly enriched the scientific program and made the lectures both informative and highly engaging.
We strongly believe that such educational initiatives and international academic partnerships are essential for the continuous development of our university. Bringing distinguished international lecturers and experts to Tbilisi, fostering professional exchange, and establishing sustainable academic connections contribute significantly to strengthening our educational and research activities, improving clinical practice, and creating new opportunities for future collaboration.
The symposium was not only an important scientific meeting but also a meaningful step towards strengthening international cooperation in pediatric gastroenterology. We sincerely appreciate the OMI’s commitment to supporting medical education and fostering international academic exchange, and we hope this successful collaboration will continue through future joint educational and scientific initiatives.
Prof. Tinatin Tkemaladze
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine | Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
