Check out this wonderful article by AO Spine about the Center for Spine and Orthopedics’ Dr. Michael Janssen, winner of the 2015 German Ochoa Traveling Fellowship Award!

When Michael Janssen won the German Ochoa Traveling Fellowship, his plan to visit his past Fellows was an admirable and ambitious plan, however, he is succeeding in his mission to put something back into the world.

Recently, one of his past AOSpine Fellows (Dr. Mario Bran) flew from Guatemala to Denver for a week, where they held a meeting about the importance of Community Development and Resident Education in the Guatemalan AOSpine Community. Following this the young surgeon gave a ‘Grand Rounds’ and joined Dr. Janssen for operations throughout the week. He also was able to spend time with two Asian AOSpine Fellows D.r Janssen is hosting at his center.

On the January 9, Dr. Janssen and Dr. Bran traveled back to Guatemala for a week of surgery, Country Council Meetings, and an AOSpine Advanced Seminar. The two surgeons also visited three local hospitals to educate the local surgeons and join them in surgery to help them with surgical techniques.

As part of the busy schedule on the January 13, Dr. Pablo Vela (past member of the AOSpine Latin America Regional Board), joined Dr Janssen and Dr. Bran in Guatemala to assist in hosting the “AOSpine Advanced Seminar – Meet the expert: Degenerative Spine” which was a huge success and a great opportunity for the local surgeons to meet and share their knowledge.

Dr. Janssen is planning a similar trip to China (Beijing), in late February after the Chinese New Year.

Dr. Janssen says: “In summary this fellowship opportunity, in honor of German Ochoa is transpiring into a wonderful AOSpine international experience. Thank you for giving me this honor and opportunity. It is only the beginning of a wonderful tradition.”

This article originally posted on AOSpine.AOFoundation.org.