Short story – Questions

When did you find out the Rudi Mattmüller Educational Grant was available? What was your motivation to write an application?

I first learned about the Rudi Mattmüller Educational Grant a couple of months ago through the International Society of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (ISIN) website. As I have been actively seeking opportunities to expand my expertise in IONM, the grant immediately caught my attention. My motivation for applying stems from my desire to deepen my knowledge in advanced neurophysiological monitoring techniques, specifically in complex surgeries such as skull base procedures, spinal tumor resections, and endovascular interventions. Given the limited access to specialized training in Colombia, this grant represents a unique chance for me to learn from distinguished professors and bring back invaluable knowledge to improve patient care and medical education in my country.

What are your plans? Which hospitals are you planning to visit and when will you be travelling? 

I plan to undertake training at the highly experienced and renowned hospitals over the course of three months:

Mount Sinai West Hospital IONM Service, Icahn School of Medicine, New York.

Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London. 

What are your expectations?  

I expect this advanced training to significantly enhance my expertise in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Moreover, this experience will empower me to contribute more effectively to the development of IONM in Colombia, through both hands-on practice and the creation of structured educational programs. By training with leading experts, I aim to elevate the quality of care I can provide to my patients and share this knowledge with the next generation of medical professionals.

Anything else you would like to share? 

I am grateful for the opportunity this grant provides and to those leading this initiative to support the education of young professionals. I am particularly excited to return and apply what I have learned to improve surgical outcomes and contribute to the development of formal training programs in IONM, which will benefit both patients and practitioners alike of my country.