“Seeing how specialized medical care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and genuine compassion come together to create a child-friendly environment was one of the most inspiring aspects of my stay,” says Dr. Sarah Feurhuber, OMI fellow from Salzburg, Austria, reflecting on her recent placement at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals.
Made possible through the OMI-CHOP connection, her experience highlights the value of international exchange. Dr. Adelaide Barnes, Medical Director of CHOP Global Pediatric Education, also emphasizes the importance of this partnership “which continues to bring wonderful colleagues to CHOP for various experiences.”
Read Dr. Feurhuber’s report to learn more about her experience at CHOP.
“During the OMI Seminar on Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at Schloss Arenberg in January 2026, I had the opportunity to meet several physicians from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). They provided us, a group of physicians from all over the world, with valuable insights into various aspects of these pediatric subspecialties. During the seminar, I learned about the possibility of completing an observership at CHOP, an opportunity that immediately caught my interest.
A few weeks later, I discussed this possibility with our head of department who was very supportive and encouraged me to apply for a four-week observership in Pediatric Rheumatology. After receiving my acceptance letter a few months later, I informed both our head of department and my employer, who kindly granted me the necessary time off from my clinical duties. I then began organizing the necessary arrangements and preparing for my stay. In early October 2026, my journey finally began, giving me the opportunity to spend four weeks at one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals and gain insight into the clinical practice, teaching activities, and multidisciplinary approach of their Pediatric Rheumatology team.
Overall Observership Experience
The four weeks I spent as an observer in the Division of Rheumatology at CHOP were an extremely rewarding and educational experience. I gained valuable insight into a different healthcare system, expanded my clinical knowledge, and experienced what a highly structured and comprehensive training program can look like. Thanks to the welcoming and highly motivated fellows, attending physicians, and other team members, I was able to observe a wide variety of clinical cases, discuss diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and learn about numerous differential diagnoses. I was particularly impressed by the team’s openness to questions and its strong commitment to teaching, even during busy clinical days.
Daily Activities
I had the opportunity to join both the outpatient clinics and the inpatient consult team. This flexibility allowed me to experience different aspects of pediatric rheumatology.
Outpatient Clinics
During the first two weeks, I mainly attended outpatient clinics together with fellows and attending physicians. We saw a wide variety of patients with conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vasculitis, amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), and Sjögren syndrome. I also attended several combined multidisciplinary clinics, including the Rheumatology-Uveitis Clinic, Lupus Nephritis Clinic, and Rheumatology-Dermatology Clinic. In these specialized clinics, physicians from different divisions work closely together to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions. I found this approach particularly impressive, as it facilitates close collaboration between specialists while reducing the number of separate appointments for patients and their families. It is an excellent example of coordinated, patient- and family-centered care.
Inpatient Service
During the remaining two weeks, I joined the inpatient Rheumatology consult team, which was responsible for hospitalized patients with known rheumatologic conditions as well as for evaluating children on the wards and in the Emergency Department with suspected underlying rheumatologic diseases. I participated in ward rounds, consultations, multidisciplinary meetings, and case discussions with colleagues from different pediatric subspecialties. This provided valuable insight into the complexity of inpatient rheumatology and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration when caring for children with multisystemic or diagnostically challenging conditions. It was particularly interesting to observe how the team approached complex cases, discussed differential diagnoses, and developed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies together with other specialties.
Teaching and Educational Activities
In addition to daily clinical activities, several educational meetings were part of the weekly schedule. These included the fellows’ weekly chapter review, Immunology Class, Journal Club, and interesting case presentations. These sessions offered an excellent opportunity to deepen clinical knowledge, discuss current literature, and learn from experienced colleagues. I was particularly impressed by how consistently teaching was integrated into everyday clinical practice. Another highlight was the Observer Luncheon, which brought together international observers from different professional backgrounds, including physicians, nurses, and technicians. It was a great opportunity to exchange experiences with people from all over the world and meet members of the Global Pediatric Education team.
Challenges and Difficulties
Overall, my four weeks at CHOP went very smoothly, and I felt welcome from the beginning. The main initial challenges were getting familiar with the numerous medical abbreviations and finding my way around such a large hospital with its many buildings, wards, and consultation rooms.
Personal Highlights
There were many personal highlights throughout my stay. One of the aspects that impressed me most was the welcoming atmosphere and dedication of the staff at CHOP. It was fascinating to see an entire hospital dedicated exclusively to children, with healthcare professionals from every specialty having specific expertise in pediatric care. The facilities and activities are designed with children in mind: from dedicated television channels and bingo games on the wards to numerous playrooms, Halloween costumes, and Child Life Specialists who help children cope with hospitalization and medical procedures. It was wonderful to see how much thought went into creating a child-friendly environment and making hospital stays as positive as possible for children and their families. Another major highlight was the motivation and collaborative spirit of the entire team. There was a genuine culture of teamwork, openness, and mutual respect. I never encountered a situation in which someone was unwilling to help or answer a question, regardless of how busy they were.
Benefits and Impact of the Observership
The observership provided valuable insights extending beyond Pediatric Rheumatology itself. I gained a better understanding of how a large academic children’s hospital combines highly specialized medical care with education, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong focus on patients and their families. Clinically, I was able to broaden my knowledge of pediatric rheumatologic conditions, become familiar with different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and learn from the management of complex cases. I also gained new perspectives on the importance of structured teaching and continuous professional development. Returning to my home institution, I hope to incorporate the knowledge and impressions I gained into my daily clinical practice and share my experiences with colleagues. I would also like to contribute to making our clinical environment even more welcoming for children.
Recommendations for Future Observers
To anyone considering applying for an observership at CHOP, I can only recommend taking this opportunity. Preparing for an international stay involves a considerable amount of organizational work, from arranging insurance and completing the required documentation to finding accommodation and organizing travel. However, the effort is absolutely worthwhile. An observership at CHOP offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the clinical work of one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, learn from highly motivated and experienced physicians, observe multidisciplinary approaches to patient care, and encounter a wide range of interesting clinical cases. Beyond the medical knowledge gained, it is also an opportunity to experience a different healthcare system, meet colleagues from all over the world, and reflect on one’s own clinical practice.
For me, these four weeks were an exceptionally valuable and inspiring experience, both professionally and personally. I am very grateful to everyone at CHOP for their warm welcome and support, as well as to both my head of department and my employer for making this stay possible. My special thanks also go to OMI, whose seminar first introduced me to CHOP and inspired me to apply for this observership, and whose support helped make this experience possible.
Sarah Feurhuber, MD
Pediatrician
Salzburg University Clinic | Salzburg, Austria
