International academic training and experience

Even during the early years of my residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University Hospital Vienna / AKH I was intrigued by the cultural differences influencing the practice of the profession in various countries around the globe.

My own first personal academic experience abroad took me to the Free University Amsterdam, where I came to know and appreciate an approach to obstetrics that closely involved midwives. New York City became my next port-of-call: In the course of a one-year research fellowship at Cornell University I made an intensive study of some of the ethical issues associated with obstetrics and gynecology, in particular regarding the viability of premature babies and their limits. Having finished my residency, I was granted the opportunity to work in India for six months. Aside from a wealth of new professional experience, the time in India also gave me a chance to immerse myself in this fascinating country so rich in contrasts. As an indirect consequence, I became increasingly interested in working environments where the practice of medicine relies more on human contact and less on technology.
 
After successfully passing the American board exams in Medicine, I accepted  a clinical fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine offered by New York Presbyterian Hospital. I transferred and extended the fellowship to Boston's Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, where I was also able to complete my Masters in Public Health at Harvard University. Before returning to Vienna and once again making the best of a fortuitous opportunity, I spent four months in Argentina and Uruguay, taking part in a Harvard research project and gaining a better understanding of the health care situation in South America, in particular regarding obstetrics and gynecology.