Premedics Salzburg: Where Medical Education Meets Social Responsibility

More than 150 dedicated students, an ambulance stationed directly on campus, and a close connection between academic studies and volunteer emergency medical services: Premedics Salzburg demonstrates how medical education and social responsibility can go hand in hand. During a recent meeting at Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), representatives of the university, the Salzburg Red Cross, and the student initiative discussed their successful collaboration.

On October 15, 2026, PMU President Annemarie Weißenbacher welcomed a delegation from the Salzburg Red Cross to the university. The guests included Red Cross President Werner Aufmesser, Regional Managing Director Sabine Tischler, Head of Emergency Medical Services Stefan Soucek, and Robert Oberascher, Commander of the Salzburg City Volunteer Unit.

Together with representatives of Premedics, they discussed the longstanding partnership that brings together university education, practical emergency medicine, and volunteer engagement in a unique way.

From the Lecture Hall to Emergency Medical Services

With more than 150 active members, Premedics is now the largest student initiative within the Human Medicine program at PMU's Salzburg campus. In cooperation with the Salzburg Red Cross, the initiative enables future physicians to gain valuable hands-on experience in emergency medical services while still studying and to actively contribute to prehospital patient care.

A distinctive feature of this collaboration is a Red Cross ambulance stationed directly at PMU and staffed by students. In addition, students volunteer with the Salzburg City Volunteer Unit and organize continuing education activities and practical training sessions at the university.

The connection between medical studies and emergency medical services begins in the first year with the university's Emergency Medicine module. Building on this foundation, interested students can complete training as emergency medical technicians in cooperation with the Red Cross and subsequently pursue further qualifications as advanced emergency medical technicians.

As substantial parts of this training take place directly at PMU, students can combine the demands of their medical studies with comprehensive practical training in emergency medical services.

Medical Expertise and Social Responsibility

PMU President Annemarie Weißenbacher emphasizes the particular importance of this collaboration:

"Premedics is an outstanding example of how modern medical education and social responsibility can go hand in hand. For years, our students have benefited from this unique partnership with the Salzburg Red Cross, developing the practical skills early on that will help them become excellent physicians."

For Philipp Zunzer, student leader of PMU Premedics, the initiative's greatest strength lies in the direct connection between theory and practice:

"Premedics offers students a unique opportunity to apply medical knowledge directly in real-life situations. Experience in emergency medical services not only strengthens professional skills but also fosters teamwork, decision-making abilities, and a sense of responsibility."

Training Coordinator Julia Rosivatz also highlights the initiative's distinctive educational approach:

"Our training combines high professional standards with direct practical experience. This helps students develop confidence in handling emergency situations from an early stage, while benefiting from close collaboration with experienced Red Cross emergency personnel."

A Partnership with a Future

The close collaboration is also firmly established at an organizational level. While Premedics operates as a student initiative at PMU, the "PMU Unit" forms part of the Salzburg City Volunteer Unit of the Red Cross.

The meeting highlighted the importance of this longstanding partnership. Both institutions share the goal of providing future physicians with practice-oriented medical education while sustainably strengthening volunteer engagement in emergency medical services.

Premedics thus serves as an example of medical education that extends far beyond the lecture hall – and of students who take responsibility for others long before completing their studies.