The Medicine Degree Program

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.

At the UMCH campus in Hamburg, medical students received exclusive training in disaster medicine – directly from an experienced practitioner: Dr. Claus-Robin Fritzemeier, senior physician in trauma surgery and orthopedics at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Mettmann, brought his expertise to the elective course “Disaster Medicine,” putting the lecture hall into crisis mode.

Dr. Fritzemeier is not only a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery but also an expert in emergency medicine and triage—the vital question of who should be treated first in a crisis situation. From his experiences during the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley and the evacuation of hospitals, he provided students with real insights into the complex and often unforgiving reality of disaster medicine.

Through practical scenarios and case studies, participants were prepared for emergency situations that may arise in real-life events. “Make decisions in seconds and set priorities” was the mantra of the course, where Dr. Fritzemeier illustrated through practical exercises how medical professionals operate in mass casualty incidents and disasters, such as traffic accidents or terrorist attacks. However, less “dramatic” emergencies were also discussed: an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a nursing home or a natural disaster like an earthquake—scenarios that demand considerable experience and a cool head. Particularly impressive was the discussion about triage, a crucial skill in disaster medicine: with limited resources, it must be decided who needs immediate assistance and who must wait. Dr. Fritzemeier emphasized this ability and used various case studies to make the theory engaging and comprehensible.

“For us, it was a unique opportunity to experience someone who is in the midst of the action and reports from practice,” said one participant. “Dr. Fritzemeier not only conveyed the hard facts but also showed us what it means to take responsibility in critical situations.”

The two-day elective course allowed students to practice making important decisions under realistic conditions and with professional guidance. Dr. Fritzemeier ensured that the aspiring medical professionals developed not only theoretical knowledge but also an instinct for handling crisis situations—a hands-on experience rarely conveyed so palpably in medical education.

With this elective course, which equipped participants with practical competence in extreme situations, UMCH once again set a standard for the hands-on training of its students.