Exclusive Training for PMU Students at OrganOx in Oxford
Experiencing International Cutting-Edge Medicine Firsthand: Four medical students from Salzburg and Nuremberg were given the unique opportunity to participate in exclusive training at the headquarters of medical technology company OrganOx in Oxford, UK. This educational initiative was made possible through the close connection between PMU Rector Annemarie Weißenbacher and OrganOx.
As a transplantation surgeon with an international network, Weißenbacher deliberately creates opportunities for PMU students to access world-leading institutions and innovative technologies. The training at OrganOx gives our future doctors the chance not only to learn about the latest methods in organ perfusion and transplantation medicine but also to apply them in practice.
“We want to give our students the opportunity to learn from the best and gain international experience at the highest level. Direct exchange with innovative companies like OrganOx not only strengthens their professional education but also promotes the transfer of knowledge between science, research, and practice,” emphasizes PMU Rector Weißenbacher.
Hermann Schaller, Vice President (Commercial and Europe) at OrganOx, also highlights the significance of this long-standing collaboration: “The ongoing cooperation between Annemarie Weißenbacher and OrganOx has created a valuable educational opportunity for PMU students in Salzburg and Nuremberg. This exchange demonstrates the importance of collaboration between science and industry in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for future challenges.”
Hands-On Experience at the Highest Level
During the training, the four selected students gained exclusive insights into the development and clinical application of state-of-the-art organ perfusion systems. Participants worked independently on an organ perfusion machine and, under guidance, prepared a pig liver.
PMU student Frances Kirchner was impressed: “I never expected to be so actively involved and trusted with so much responsibility. I thought I would just be watching the professionals. But we actually prepared an organ ourselves, sutured it, and tied surgical knots. This hands-on experience showed me the potential of innovative technologies in transplantation medicine and reinforced my desire to become a surgeon.”
International Networks as an Added Value for Education
The collaboration with OrganOx underscores the importance of international partnerships at PMU. Rector Weißenbacher has maintained close scientific ties with Oxford for many years. The founders of OrganOx, Oxford professors Constantin Coussios and Peter Friend, are among her long-time mentors.
As a result, PMU students have the opportunity to gain experience in international cutting-edge medicine during their studies, make valuable contacts, and possibly discover their future professional specialization.
