Plastic surgeon from Graz on a travel fellowship in the USA

Sebastian Nischwitz from the Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Medical University of Graz has been awarded a prestigious travel fellowship from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). This internationally highly regarded funding programme enables selected surgeons to visit leading hand surgery centres in the United States and to engage intensively with different surgical approaches as well as organisational and training structures. The fellowship was financially supported by a grant from the Austrian Society for Surgery.

During a stay lasting several weeks, Sebastian Nischwitz had the opportunity to visit four outstanding institutions: the long-established Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis, the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester (Minnesota), the Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. 

At all locations, Sebastian Nischwitz gained in-depth insights into the entire spectrum of modern hand surgery. In addition to the impressive range of surgical procedures – from complex tendon and nerve surgery and arthroscopic techniques to specialised paediatric hand surgery – the focus was particularly on interdisciplinary collaboration, structured clinical processes, and innovative training and leadership concepts.

Particularly formative was the culture of continuous professional development in practice: regular case discussions, journal clubs and an open scientific exchange are an integral part of everyday clinical practice at the centres visited and reflect a deeply rooted understanding of quality, safety and excellence. Equally impressive were the insights into modern leadership concepts and the central role of teamwork, communication and mutual respect in the surgical environment.

“The fellowship is not only a personal honour for our colleague, but also provides lasting impetus for clinical practice, research and teaching at the Medical University of Graz,” said Lars-Peter Kamolz, Head of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of Graz. “Furthermore, the experience gained contributes to the further development of international best-practice models in Graz, continuously strengthening the high quality of patient care and the training of future generations of surgeons, and expanding our position as a leading European centre for hand surgery.”