From September 21 to 27, 2025, 39 young physicians from 25 countries across four continents, including Azerbaijan, Croatia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uzbekistan, came together at Schloss Arenberg in Salzburg, Austria, for an intensive seminar on spinal neurosurgery. The weeklong program, hosted by the Open Medical Institute (OMI), welcomed one of its largest and most diverse cohorts to date. Founded in 1993, OMI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare globally by providing postgraduate medical education and fostering international exchange among physicians.
Weill Cornell Medicine Experts Among Distinguished Faculty
The course was led by Dr. Roger Härtl, the Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of Neurosurgery Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Dr. Claudius Thomé of the Medical University of Innsbruck. Dr. Härtl has directed the program 20 times since first joining OMI in 2005 and Dr. Thomé has participated 24 times.
Roger Hartl, M.D.
They were joined by an esteemed international faculty, including Dr. Lawrence G. Lenke of Columbia University, Dr. Osama Nezar Kashlan of the U.S. Air Force and three additional Weill Cornell Medicine neurosurgeons:
Dr. Kai-Ming Fu, associate professor of neurological surgery
Dr. K. Daniel Riew, professor of neurological surgery
Dr. Michael S. Virk, associate professor of neurological surgery
Other faculty included Dr. Massimo Balsano of University Hospital in Verona, Italy, Dr. Harry H. Gebhard of Rehaklinik Dussnang in Switzerland and Dr. Bernhard Meyer of the Technical University of Munich in Germany.
Advancing Spine Care Through Training and Collaboration
The seminar focused on the comprehensive management of spinal disorders, combining lectures with hands-on training in advanced surgical techniques. Fellows learned more about minimally invasive procedures, spinal trauma care and strategies for treating complex pathologies with an emphasis on evidence-based decision-making and patient safety.
Throughout the course, fellows participated in interactive case discussions and an anatomy workshop to apply new knowledge to real-world scenarios. The practical sessions remain a highlight of the course, offering young surgeons an opportunity to refine their skills while collaborating across cultural and medical backgrounds.
Hands-On Training with State-of-the-Art Technology
During the lab sessions, supported by Medtronic and Zeiss, fellows practiced surgical techniques on advanced equipment under faculty guidance. At three training stations, participants engaged in O-arm spinal 3D navigation, microscope lumbar decompression and cervical decompression and fusion.
“We are grateful to Medtronic and Zeiss for their continued support of these training sessions,” Dr. Härtl said. “The labs are always a highlight of the program, giving young surgeons exposure to tools and techniques that will help them improve care at their home institutions.”
A Commitment to Global Knowledge Exchange
Since 2005, Dr. Härtl has played an integral role in OMI’s mission to advance international medical education. Reflecting on his involvement, he noted, “The unique format of the OMI brings together talented physicians from diverse backgrounds, fostering professional growth, cultural understanding and the advancement of spine care across borders. Contributing to these seminars is continually rewarding, as it allows us to share the latest surgical techniques and build lasting mentorships with the next generation of neurosurgical leaders.”
Discover the exceptional expertise of our world-renowned neurosurgeons in spinal care at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Explore their profiles and specialties: neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/our-faculty