From the Lecture Hall to the Hospital, your medical degree program

PD Dr. Cornelius Jacobs, Head of the Spine Department, from St. Remigius Hospital Leverkusen, Opladen held an insightful, hands-on elective course on spinal surgery.

Fourth‑year students of UMFST‑UMCH recently took part in a two‑day neurosurgery elective course focused on contemporary methods in spine surgery. The course was led by PD Dr. Cornelius Jacobs, Head of the Spine Department at St. Remigius Hospital Leverkusen, Opladen, and combined foundational teaching with practical training and exposure to modern intraoperative imaging technologies.

The first day opened with an academic lecture in which PD Dr. Jacobs outlined fundamental principles of thoracic access, emergency procedures, and anatomical orientation relevant to spinal interventions. The session highlighted the significance of precise technique when performing procedures that involve the thoracic cavity, particularly in situations where rapid and accurate action is required.

Following the theoretical introduction, students participated in a practical workshop using porcine rib specimens. PD Dr. Jacobs demonstrated the correct placement of a chest tube, illustrating essential anatomical landmarks, the sequence of procedural steps, and common pitfalls encountered in clinical practice. Detailed emphasis was placed on secure fixation with sutures, a crucial aspect for preventing tube displacement during patient care.

On the second day, the elective broadened its focus toward technological innovations in spine surgery. Through collaborating with Medtronic and the imaging systems of Brainlab, students worked with anatomical models that allowed them to observe real‑time navigation and imaging as used in modern operating rooms. These tools illustrate how imaging guidance supports precise screw placement and contributes to safeguarding critical spinal structures.

By combining structured lectures, practical experience, and exposure to advanced surgical systems, the elective provided students with a comprehensive understanding of current methods in spine surgery. The course offered insight into how contemporary technology aids clinical precision and enhances safety during spinal procedures.

With the elective course Medicine of Sexuality, UMFST-UMCH expands its academic offering to include an important and sensitive field of modern medicine. The course provides students with a solid understanding of sexual health and prepares them to address sexual-medicine-related issues in a competent, empathetic, and evidence-based manner in clinical practice.

The course begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of sexual medicine and sexual health, highlighting the central role sexuality plays in physical and psychological well-being as well as in patients’ overall quality of life. Building on this foundation, the elective focuses in depth on erectile dysfunction, starting with its definition, etiopathogenesis, and epidemiology, followed by a comprehensive discussion of its clinical aspects and current treatment options.

Another key component of the course addresses ejaculatory disorders and male infertility, covering underlying causes, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies. In addition, female sexual dysfunctions are explored to provide students with a holistic perspective on sexual health conditions affecting all genders.

The elective concludes by examining the interplay between sexuality, psychology, society, and clinical practice, with a particular emphasis on physician–patient communication and the professional handling of cultural, social, and psychological factors that influence sexual health concerns.

The course is led by Prof. Dr. Daniel Porav-Hodade, Professor of Urology at UMFST. As a long-standing Senior Doctor in Urology and an experienced academic educator, he brings extensive clinical, scientific, and teaching expertise to the program. His academic background includes a PhD in Medical Sciences as well as leadership experience in clinical care and healthcare management.

With Medicine of Sexuality, UMFST-UMCH reaffirms its commitment to educating future physicians who are not only medically proficient but also well prepared to deliver holistic, patient-centered care in an area of medicine that is becoming increasingly relevant in everyday clinical practice.

The elective course Clinical Anatomy at UMFST-UMCH offers students a valuable opportunity to deepen and refine the anatomical knowledge acquired during the first three semesters of the anatomy curriculum, with a strong focus on clinical relevance.Throughout the course, students review and consolidate core anatomical concepts while learning how to apply this knowledge effectively in medical practice.

Teaching activities are centered on the discussion of specific clinical cases, highlighting the anatomical basis of diseases and emphasizing the correlation between clinical manifestations and their underlying anatomical structures.A key objective of the course is the restructuring of anatomical knowledge according to criteria of clinical applicability and practical usefulness. This approach encourages students to develop new ways of thinking, strengthening their ability to associate pathological conditions with their anatomical substrate and enhancing their clinical reasoning skills.The Clinical Anatomy elective is taught by Associate Professor Lorand Denes, MD, PhD, from the Department of Anatomy and Embryology.

Dr. Denes is currently an Associate Professor at the “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, a position he has held since 2016. In parallel, he has been practicing as a Specialist Doctor in Radiology and Medical Imaging since 2011, bringing valuable clinical and imaging expertise into the teaching process.His academic career includes previous roles as Lecturer and Assistant in the Department of Anatomy and Embryology, as well as clinical training as a Resident Doctor in Radiology and Medical Imaging. Dr. Denes holds a PhD in Medicine and completed his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș.Through this elective course, UMFST–UMCH continues to promote an integrated, clinically oriented approach to medical education, supporting students in building a strong bridge between anatomy and clinical practice.

Stepping into the world of disaster medicine under the guidance of Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann.

At the UMFST-UMCH campus in Hamburg, Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann, transformed the lecture hall into a crisis zone, offering students a unique hands-on insight for his Elective Lecture “Disaster Medicine” from October, 10.-11. 2025.

At the UMFST-UMCH campus in Hamburg, Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, Senior Physician in Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann, transformed the lecture hall into a crisis zone during his Elective Lecture “Disaster Medicine”, held on October 10–11, 2025, offering students a unique, hands-on insight into the field.

Dr. Fritzemeier, an expert in emergency medicine and triage, shared experiences from real-life missions giving participants an authentic perspective on the pressures and priorities of medical crisis response. His mantra, “Make decisions in seconds and set priorities,” set the tone for two days of intensive learning and simulation.

Through practical exercises and realistic case studies, students explored how to manage large-scale emergencies such as mass casualty incidents, traffic accidents, and natural disasters, as well as less dramatic but equally challenging situations like infectious outbreaks in nursing homes. A highlight of the training was the in-depth focus on triage, determining who receives care first when resources are limited.

Dr. Fritzemeier brought this vital skill to life through vivid, interactive scenarios that tested both knowledge and composure.

The two-day elective equipped UMFST-UMCH students with more than theoretical understanding. It strengthened their ability to think, act, and lead decisively in high-stakes situations. By bringing real-world experience into the classroom, UMFST-UMCH continues to set a benchmark for practical, experience-based medical education that prepares future doctors to stay calm when it matters most.

At the UMCH campus, a popular elective course for fourth-year students was held once again. Dr. med. Michael Jonas, Chief Physician of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology and Medical Director at Klinikum Moers, together with his colleague Dr. med. Stephan Haller, Chief Physician of Radiology, introduced aspiring physicians to the topic of “Osteoligamentous Trauma: From Diagnosis to Treatment – From Casts to Artificial Joints.”

The course kicked off with an intensive theoretical introduction, where Dr. Jonas and Dr. Haller presented real-life case studies from orthopedics and traumatology, ranging from severe injuries to extreme cases. In an open discussion, students and instructors collaboratively examined the best approaches for each case. This interactive setting allowed the future doctors not only to develop their own solutions but also to consider the risks of missing or incorrect steps. A central question guided the discussion: “What should you pay attention to in order to respond correctly?” The practical discussion fostered a deeper understanding and sharpened their awareness of critical details in treating osteoligamentous injuries.'

Following the theory block, students moved on to the hands-on part, where they gained their first practical experience. Under guidance, they applied casts and bandages themselves and learned how to remove casts using a saw—a skill that not only provided technical knowledge but also a feel for handling these materials. A highlight on the second day involved drilling into synthetic bones, allowing students to get a first sense of bone consistency and develop confidence in using tools. “This course gives us a real glimpse into the world of orthopedics and traumatology and shows us what truly matters in practice,” shared one participant. “Dr. Jonas and Dr. Haller not only provided knowledge but also enhanced our awareness of managing potential emergency situations in the future.”

The elective course offered participants a unique blend of theory and practice, highly appreciated by all students. With their hands-on teaching style, Dr. Jonas and Dr. Haller laid a solid foundation, equipping the future doctors with the essential skills they’ll need in their careers in orthopedics and traumatology.