Time flies! Our annual Ophthalmology seminar that took place from December 1 to 7, 2024, marked the last clinical course of this year! The seminar was a huge success with 34 fellows from 27 countries, including Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, North Macedonia, and Uganda traveling to Schloss Arenberg for the unique opportunity to learn from top experts in the field and network with international colleagues in their specialty.
Course director Dr. Gary J. Lelli Jr. (Weill Cornell Medicine) teamed up with co-course director Dr. Herbert A. Reitsamer (General Hospital of Salzburg) to lead this ophthalmology course. They were joined by Dr. Donald J. D’Amico (Weill Cornell Medicine), Dr. Mark I. Rosenblatt (University of Illinois, College of Medicine), Dr. Marc J. Dinkin (Weill Cornell Medicine), Dr. Susanne Binder (Sigmund Freud University, Vienna), Dr. Johann P. Colvin, and Dr Sandra Stuppner (both General Hospital of Salzburg). The number of times these experts have taught at the OMI in Salzburg, including this week, showcases their dedication to improving healthcare globally. While Dr. Binder holds a record of 18 participations, Dr. Lelli was present for the 13th time and Dr. Dinkin for the 11th time.
The cohort of eight specialists was thrilled to share their knowledge and expertise in ophthalmology with the eager fellows. Besides 20 didactic lectures, two fellow case presentation sessions and a talk by the course director on presentation pearls were also part of the schedule. Dr. Lelli Jr., Vice Chair and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine, stated, “The seminar brought leading ophthalmologists from Weill Cornell Ophthalmology, University of Illinois Chicago, Vienna, and Salzburg together to discuss complicated care in vitreoretinal surgery, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology, and oculoplastic surgery. The fellows, coming from 27 different countries, shared clinical vignettes for discussion, collaborative learning, and networking.”
We were honored to host Dr. D’Amico, Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, again as part of the faculty cohort this week. He is an internationally recognized leader in the field of vitreoretinal surgery, which restores, preserves, and improves vision for a wide range of conditions. The expert explained to the fellows that the most important goal of an ophthalmologist is always “to make your patients see.” When asked what he thinks makes the OMI’s seminars so special, Dr. D’Amico responded with a profound statement:
“While the internet and other technologies have greatly improved global information exchange, the art of medicine requires a side-by-side transmission that cannot be conducted through wires, screens, or the cloud. The question arises: what can be done to improve the training of medical professionals, and therefore the medical care, for the less fortunate portions of humanity?
The Open Medical Institute (OMI) was designed to address this question directly. For thirty years, the OMI’s seminar program has offered state-of-the-art fellowship-level instruction in a comprehensive program that, in weekly cycles over a year, spans the entire scope of modern clinical practice. The success of the OMI and its incubator format is undisputed by any measure, whether by number of fellows trained, applications for seminars, productivity of graduates, etc.
As a sponsoring chair, I regard the OMI among the most effective efforts to alleviate human suffering. It actualizes our most noble wish to improve healthcare, education, and outreach by creating an ever-increasing stream of talented physicians who are enabled to share their connections to international mentors and to transmit the miracles of modern medicine.”
Dr. D’Amico’s powerful statement emphasizes the reasons why we do what we do to improve healthcare globally. With the Chairman’s words in mind, the Ophthalmology seminar came to a triumphant close, and with it the 2024 OMI seminar series.
We cannot wait to kickstart our 2025 courses together!
Tigist Tesfaye Dessalegne, MD
OMI fellow from Ethiopia
“Dr. D’Amico held engaging lectures on the management of primary retinal detachment and the development of macular surgery over the last fifty years. The sessions made me realize how far we have come and made me eager for the exciting future ahead.”
Bayasgalan Purevdorj, MD
OMI fellow from Mongolia
“The effective management of patients in a low-resource setting, which is critical for my practice in Mongolia, resonated deeply with me. The discussions emphasized critical thinking and innovation in patient care, even when resources are constrained.”
Linda Umeh, MD
OMI fellow from Nigeria
“With my interest in specializing in uveitis, I was particularly intrigued by Dr. Stuppner’s lecture on uveitis mystery cases. It highlighted the need to pay attention when it comes to various forms of uveitis.”
