Colorful leaves, snow-dusted mountaintops, and occasional rain showers showcase that Autumn has transformed the landscape at the OMI’s headquarters. The topic of this week’s course, diagnostic imaging, also has a lot to do with indicators of change; however not in a seasonal way, but in a medical one.
Diagnostic imaging technology has transformed healthcare and now allows for earlier diagnosis of medical conditions, reduces the need for needless exploratory processes, and creates better patient outcomes. Diagnostic imaging can often mark a transition in a patient’s health journey, providing crucial information that can lead to changes in diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. David A. Boyajian, one of this week’s faculty members, is a radiologist specializing in imaging of the musculoskeletal system, advanced imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, and emergency radiology. He explains diagnostic imaging’s role in modern medicine with enthusiasm in his voice: “Diagnostic imaging stands at the center of the information that drives patient care, both therapeutic and preventative. There is a fast-growing compendium of imaging modalities and techniques, made possible by advanced understanding and application of physics, manufacturing, computer science, biochemistry, pathology and pathophysiology, and genomics.”
A staggering 14 professionals from the USA, Austria, and Switzerland traveled to Salzburg to deliver their lectures and impart their wisdom to the eager fellows. Course director, Dr. David W. Trost (Weill Cornell Medicine) has been present 25 times, with this seminar marking his 26th time. Co-course director Dr. Franz Kainberger (Medical University of Vienna) was present 15 times, including this week. The two veterans were joined by Dr. Suzanne E. Anderson (University of Bern), Dr. David A. Boyajian, Dr. Alan C. Legasto, Dr. Andrew D. Schweitzer (Weill Cornell Medicine), Dr. Krishna Kandarpa (The US National Institutes of Health), Dr. Klaus Hergan (Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg), Dr. Florian A. Huber (University Hospital Zurich), Dr. Gerald Paertan (Clinic Donaustadt Hospital, Vienna), Dr. Lucian Beer, Dr. Suren Armeni Jengojan, Dr. Ammar Mallouhi (Medical University of Vienna), and Dr. Gerlig Widmann (Medical University of Innsbruck). Besides the course directors, the remainder of the cohort have all lectured at our seminars at least once, save for the newcomers Dr. Beer, Dr. Kandarpa, and Dr. Paertan.
Remarkably, Dr. Trost is not only a world-renowned radiologist, but he also builds and flies antique airplanes in his free time. The course director would describe this seminar as containing “lectures on a variety of imaging topics by some of the top radiologists from Weill Cornell Medicine and Europe.” He continues, “This year we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Kandarpa, who gave a fascinating lecture on artificial intelligence.”
This week’s schedule comprised 27 didactic lectures, two fellows case presentation workshops, pre- and post-seminar tests, and four faculty case presentation sessions. The participants were excited to update their know-how in diagnostic imaging during this educational course. Amongst other things, they learned about advanced imaging in arthritis, cerebrovascular diseases, cardiac masses, fluoroscopy safety, and useful classifications for imaging of the foot.
Dr. Boyajian further remarks upon the OMI’s impact on fellows’ continued education in the medical specialty: “Year after year, the OMI brings together outstanding physicians in diagnostic imaging from all over the world, to present and review the state-of-the-art.” The 36 fellows from 28 countries, including Bhutan, Estonia, Kosovo, Tanzania, and Vietnam, were astonished by the depth of the faculty’s medical expertise, the detailed organization of the seminar, and the learning-friendly atmosphere of Schloss Arenberg.
Kaur Valk, MD
OMI fellow from Estonia
“Dr. Anderson highlighted the importance of collaborating with professionals from other medical specialties. It changed my perspective on my hospital’s practices and encouraged me to communicate more with my clinical colleagues in the future.”
Kitija Nulle, MD
OMI fellow from Latvia
“I specialize in musculoskeletal radiology, so naturally, I listened to Dr. Kainberger’s lecture “Advanced Imaging in Arthritis” with great interest. The lecture was highly relevant to my work.”
Dawa Zangpo, MD
OMI fellow from Bhutan
“Attending this diagnostic imaging seminar further fueled my interest in pursuing forensic radiology. I plan to share my newly gained knowledge with my colleagues in Bhutan, ultimately benefiting the country’s healthcare system.”
