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Scientific Program

ACT Conference Program

Preliminary Scientific Program

Integrated Approaches to Combat Trauma: From Acute Care to Reconstruction
(as of December 25, 2025)
February 6-7, 2026 | Budapest, Hungary

Friday, February 6, 2026 - HALL A
08:30 - 10:00
Session 1: How to Prepare for Combat Casualties
Chairs: Levente Várhelyi, Hungary & Yoram Klein, Israel
08:30 - 08:45 Welcome Remarks

08:30 - 08:35 Introductions, objectives, and overview of challenges in combat-related injury management:
Amir Arami & Zvika Steinberger, Israel

08:35 - 08:40 Welcome to Budapest: Housekeeping, sponsors acknowledgement:
Balázs Lenkei, Hungary & Andrii Lysak, Ukraine

08:40 - 08:45 Greetings:
Jens E. K. Diehm, Director, NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine (NATO MILMED COE)
08:45 - 10:00 Lectures
  • 08:45 - 09:00 Combat trauma historic perspective - Yoram Klein, Israel
  • 09:00 - 09:10 Lessons from the Croatian war - Rado Zic, Croatia
  • 09:10 - 09:20 Experiences of medical care in Ukraine - Corey G. Gustafson, USA
  • 09:20 - 09:30 Modern war - statistics - Shani Kesari, Israel
  • 09:30 - 09:40 Building orthoplastic team - Andrew Bauder, USA
  • 09:40 - 09:50 The role of NovoSorb BTM in mass-casualty situations - Marco Jovic, Serbia (Supported by Polynovo)
  • 09:50 - 10:00 Insights from the Czech team working in Ukraine - Jakub Holoubek, Czech Republic
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee Break & Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
10:30 - 12:10
Session 2: Acute Care of Combat-Related Injuries
Chairs: Levente Várhelyi, Hungary & Yoram Klein, Israel
10:30 - 11:40 Lectures
  • 10:30 - 10:40 Blast injuries explained - Levente Várhelyi, Hungary
  • 10:40 - 10:50 Trauma perspective vs. orthoplastic perspective in modern war - Yoram Klein, Amir Arami, Zvika Steinberger, Israel
  • 10:50 - 11:00 Acute Care in austere environment - Andrew Bauder, USA
  • 11:00 - 11:10 Limb preservation in the field - L. Scott Levin, USA
  • 11:10 - 11:20 Hemorrhage Control - and other novel field treatment - Shani Kesari, Israel
  • 11:20 - 11:30 Monitoring compartment syndrome - Edward Harvey, Canada
  • 11:30 - 11:40 Novel solutions for hemorrhage control - TBD (Supported by Teleflex)
11:40 - 12:10 Case Discussions: Acute Care
Moderator: Yoram Klein, Israel
Panel Members: Levente Várhelyi, Hungary, Yotam Heinemann, Israel

11:40 - 11:50 Case 1 - Yotam Heinemann, Israel
11:50 - 12:00 Case 2 - TBD
12:00 - 12:10 Case 3 - TBD
12:10 - 13:00 Lunch Break & Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
13:00 - 15:10
Session 3: Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Chairs: Zvika Steinberger, Israel, Andrew Bauder, USA, TBD
13:00 - 14:20 Lectures
  • 13:00 - 13:10 Decision-Making amputation vs salvage case presentations - Zvika Steinberger, Israel
  • 13:10 - 13:20 Soft Tissue Reconstruction: does it need a flap? When? How to temporize the wound? - Zvika Steinberger, Israel
  • 13:20 - 13:30 Staged reconstruction of extremities - Ihor Mykolaiovych Kurinnyi, Ukraine
  • 13:30 - 13:40 Microvascular free flaps vs. local flaps; fasciocutaneous vs muscle flaps - Stephen J. Kovach, USA
  • 13:40 - 13:50 The use of spare parts surgery - Marco Innocenti, Italy
  • 13:50 - 14:00 Functional unit defects and reconstruction - L. Scott Levin, USA
  • 14:00 - 14:10 Vascular considerations - Stephen J. Kovach, USA
  • 14:10 - 14:20 Simultaneous soft tissue and bony reconstruction - TBD
14:20 - 15:10 Case Discussions: Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Moderator: Stephen J. Kovach, USA
Panel Members: L. Scott Levin, USA, Zvika Steinberger, Israel, Ihor Mykolaiovych Kurinniy, Ukraine and Andrew Bauder, USA

14:10 - 14:25 Case 1 - Andrew Bauder, USA
14:25 - 14:40 Case 2 - TBD
14:40 - 14:55 Case 3 - TBD
14:55 - 15:10 Case 4 - TBD
15:10 - 15:40 Coffee Break & Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
15:40 - 18:30
Session 4: Skeletal Reconstruction
Chairs: Marco Innocenti, Italy & Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
15:40 - 17:10 Lectures
  • 15:40 - 15:50 Handling Large Segmental Bone defects - Non vascularized bone grafting and Masquelet (cage vs traditional) - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 15:50 - 16:00 Bone substitutes - indications and applications - Edward Harvey, Canada
  • 16:00 - 16:10 Role of vascularized periosteal flaps in combat related skeletal reconstruction - Tim de Jong, The Netherlands
  • 16:10 - 16:20 Handling Large Segmental Bone defects - free vascularized - Marco Innocenti, Italy
  • 16:20 - 16:30 Handling Large Segmental Bone defects - bone transport - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 16:30 - 16:40 Preserving the Joint in Setting of Significant Peri-Articular Bone Loss - Mark I. Loebenberg, Israel
  • 16:40 - 16:50 Warfare injuries to the wrist: Fusions and motion-preserving procedures - Serhii Tymoshenko, Ukraine
  • 16:50 - 17:00 Ankle arthrodesis in treatment of the combat trauma consequences - Andrii Liabakh, Ukraine
  • 17:00 - 17:10 3D planning bone defects - Yurii O. Yarmoliuk, Ukraine
17:10 - 18:10 Case Discussions: Skeletal Reconstruction
Moderator: Balázs Lenkei, Hungary
Panel members: Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA, Marco Innocenti, Italy, Mark I. Loebenberg, Israel, Serhii Tymoshenko, Ukraine, Edward Harvey, Canada

17:10 - 17:25 Case 1 - Jakub Holoubek, Czech Republic
17:25 - 17:40 Case 2 - Mark I. Loebenberg, Israel
17:40 - 17:55 Case 3 - Vincent Stirler, The Netherlands
17:55 - 18:10 Case 4 - Vincent Stirler, The Netherlands
18:10 - 18:30 Day 1 Summary
Balázs Lenkei, Hungary, Andrii Lysak, Ukraine, Amir Arami & Zvika Steinberger, Israel
Main messages from the day
18:30 End of Day 1
Saturday, February 7, 2026 - HALL A
08:00 - 10:00
Session 5: Residual Limb Management
Chairs: Amy M. Moore & Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA, Oleksandr Haluzynski, Ukraine
08:00 - 09:10 Lectures
  • 08:00 - 08:10 Residual limbs: Surgical design, shaping, and closure techniques for maximum prosthetic potential - Matan Sherf, Israel
  • 08:10 - 08:20 Upper Extremity Limb Loss & Reconstruction: Current Concepts & Evolving Strategies - Oleksandr Haluzynski, Ukraine
  • 08:20 - 08:30 Upper extremity amputation levels - what is the best level for modern prosthetics? - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 08:30 - 08:40 Bionic Reconstruction upper limb: Surgeon's roll - Jonas Kolbenschlag, Germany
  • 08:40 - 08:50 Body anchored prosthesis - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 08:50 - 09:00 Pain Management following residual limb loss - Amy M. Moore, USA
  • 09:00 - 09:10 Upper Extremity transplantation - L. Scott Levin, USA
09:10 - 09:30 Panel: Lower Limb - What to do with the nerve during amputation?
Moderator: Amy M. Moore, USA
Panel Members: Andrii Lysak, Ukraine, Amy M. Moore, USA, Amir Arami, Israel, Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, & Stephen J. Kovach, USA
09:30 - 10:00 Industry Lectures
The Future of Prosthetics
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee Break, Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
10:30 - 12:30
Session 6: Peripheral Nerve Injuries & Nerve Pain
Chairs: Amir Arami, Israel, Andrii Lysak, Ukraine & Amy M. Moore, USA
10:30 - 11:30 Lectures
  • 10:30 - 10:40 Combat Related Peripheral Nerve Injuries CRPNI: Epidemiology, Surgical findings - Jordan Lachnish, Israel
  • 10:40 - 10:50 CRPNI: treatment dilemmas - Amir Arami, Israel
  • 10:50 - 11:00 Gunshot injuries of the peripheral nerves management - Andrii Lysak, Ukraine
  • 11:00 - 11:10 Nerve Transfers strategies: Upper & Lower Extremity - Amy M. Moore, USA
  • 11:10 - 11:20 Comprehensive Nerve Pain Algorithm - Amy M. Moore, USA
  • 11:20 - 11:30 What's the evidence? (Industry)
11:30 - 12:30 Case Discussions: Combat Related Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Moderator: Jordan Lachnish, Israel
Panel Members: Amy M. Moore, USA, Amir Arami, Israel, Andrii Lysak, Ukraine, Balázs Lenkei, Hungary

11:30 - 11:45 Case 1 - Amir Arami, Israel
11:45 - 12:00 Case 2 - Viviana Maja Rosero, Hungary
12:00 - 12:15 Case 3 - Andrii Lysak, Ukraine
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break & Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
13:30 - 14:40
Session 7: Infection Management in Combat Injuries
Chairs: Andrii Lysak, Ukraine & Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
13:30 - 14:20 Lectures
  • 13:30 - 13:40 Gunshot Osteomyelitis - Hennadiy Kolov, Ukraine
  • 13:40 - 13:50 War injuries and infection - what to expect? Fungal & Atypical Infections - Dana Yelin, Israel
  • 13:50 - 14:00 Antibiotic Delivery Devices tips & tricks - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 14:00 - 14:10 Treating Infected Tibial Canals - Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA
  • 14:10 - 14:20 Musculoskeletal reconstruction in a septic environment: Identifying common pitfalls and establishing an optimal strategy - Vladimir Uzlov, Hungary
14:20 - 14:40 Panel: Infection management: Treatment and Prophylaxis
Moderator: Dana Yelin, Israel
Panel Members: Vladimir Uzlov, Hungary, Levente Várhelyi, Hungary, Benjamin "Kyle" Potter, USA, Hennadiy Kolov, Ukraine
14:40 - 15:10 Coffee Break & Visit the Exhibition - EXHIBITION AREA
15:10 - 17:00
Session 8: Rehabilitation & Future Directions
Chairs:
15:10 - 15:40 Lectures
  • 15:10 - 15:20 Advanced prosthesis care in the cases of upper and lower limb amputations. The use of modern motion analysis labs in gait and posture training - Dorottya Sáringer, Hungary
  • 15:20 - 15:30 3D printed medical devices in Lviv - Vincent Stirler, The Netherlands
  • 15:30 - 15:40 Psychological aspects of the civilian surgeon who started to work during the war, and becoming a war surgeon - Serhii Tymoshenko, Ukraine
15:40 - 16:05 Industry Lectures
  • 15:40 - 15:55 VR/AR for limb re-education (Supported by Axolo Health)
  • 15:55 - 16:05 Restoring sensation (Supported by Tengable)
16:10 - 16:40 Mitaka Limb Reconstruction Best Case Competition
16:40 - 17:00 Conference Wrap-Up
17:00 End of Conference

Jason Souza,
Director of the Orthoplastic and Advanced Amputation Program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

He is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Orthopaedics. He went to college at Brown University, where he studied neuroscience in addition to his pre-med studies. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed plastic surgery residency training at Northwestern University McGraw Medical Center. Dr. Souza also completed a research fellowship at the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now known as the Shirley Ability Lab). Dr. Souza has a particular interest in extremity and nerve injury reconstruction, as well as advanced amputation care. Dr. Souza is a veteran of the United States Navy, having achieved a rank of Commander in the Medical Corps while serving on active duty for 6 years. During his military service, Dr. Souza served as Director of the Peripheral Nerve Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. As a surgeon scientist, Dr. Souza has been at the forefront in advancing reconstructive surgical science for the care of the Wounded Warrior. He continues to serve on the Steering Committee for the Department of Defense Osseointegration Program, and in concert with his orthopedic partners, has performed the largest number of osseointegration surgeries in the United States, having provided this state-of-the-art care to almost 100 amputees to date.

Benjamin “Kyle” Potter, MD, FACS
Was recently appointed as a Paul B. Magnuson Professor of Bone and Joint Surgery and Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.  He is the immediate past Norman M. Rich Professor and Chair of the Uniformed Services University - Walter Reed Department of Surgery. Prior to that, he was the Director for Surgery (Surgeon-in-chief) at Walter Reed.  He was a founding Deputy Director and immediate past Director of the DoD Limb Optimization and Osseointegration Program and served as the Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Amputee Program at Walter Reed for 16 years, while also serving as a musculoskeletal oncologist within the Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed and a consultant for the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute. 

Kyle deployed overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism in 2011, 2016, and 2020 and is the 2018 past President of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons.  He has authored or co-authored more than 350 publications and is a recipient or co-recipient of more than 40 funded grants.   He co-edited the 4th and 5th editions of the Atlas of Amputations and Limb Deficiencies for the AAOS, and serves as a Deputy Editor for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. His research interests include trauma-related amputation techniques and outcomes (including osseointegration and targeted muscle reinnervation), combat-related heterotopic ossification, and predictive modeling of musculoskeletal trauma and oncologic outcomes.

L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS

L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, is the Paul B. Magnuson Professor of Bone and Joint Surgery, Former Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery). He is also the Director of the Penn Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Service Line. As an accomplished clinician, his expertise focuses on surgery of the hand and upper extremity, reconstructive microsurgical techniques for extremity reconstruction and limb salvage. His research interests focus predominantly on extremity soft tissue reconstruction and vascularized composite allotransplantation.
Dr. Levin heads the Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Program at Penn and directed the teams that performed bilateral hand and arm transplants in three adults. In 2015, as Director of the Pediatric Hand Transplantation Program of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he led the team that performed the world’s first bilateral hand transplant in a child. Dr. Levin also actively participates in senior leadership activities of many international and national professional societies and associations.

Dr. Levin is responsible for developing the field of “Orthoplastic Surgery” and currently is Editor- in-Chief of the journal Orthoplastic Surgery (Elsevier.)

Dr. Amir Arami, MD

Chairman, Department of Hand Surgery and Limb Salvage Surgery
Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
Dr. Amir Arami is the Chairman of the Department of Hand Surgery and Limb Salvage
Surgery at Sheba Medical Center, Israel’s largest tertiary hospital. He leads a team of 14
surgeons in a department specializing in the full spectrum of hand surgery and
microsurgery, with expanded services in residual limb care and complex extremity
reconstruction.
Dr. Arami is a board-certified orthopedic and hand surgeon with advanced fellowship
training in microsurgery and peripheral nerve surgery. He has extensive clinical
experience in brachial plexus reconstruction, nerve transfers, and microsurgical limb
salvage. He plays a central role in the treatment of complex combat-related injuries at
Sheba Medical Center.
In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Arami is actively involved in academic and
translational research. He collaborates with the Israel Innovation Authority on a
preclinical study validating the porcine model for peripheral nerve regeneration and
neuropathic pain. He also serves as Chief Medical Officer of TENGable, a startup
developing implantable technologies for sensory restoration.
Dr. Arami regularly participates in international conferences and expert panels and has
contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications. He is committed to advancing the
fields of peripheral nerve surgery, extremity trauma reconstruction, and innovation in
limb restoration.

Dr. Marko Jovic

Dr. Marko Jović was born on October 26, 1977, in Belgrade. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, in 2002 with a grade point average of 9.54/10. He obtained his Master’s degree at the same faculty in 2008 and defended his doctoral dissertation (PhD) in 2016. In 2024, he was elected to the academic position of Assistant Professor in the narrow scientific field of Surgery with Anesthesiology (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade.

Dr. Marko Jović is the author and co-author of more than 80 professional and scientific papers, including 24 papers published in full (in extenso) in journals indexed on the JCR list. As the Head of the Burn Unit at the Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the University Clinical Center of Serbia, he is routinely involved in the treatment of burn injuries. Dr. Jović is a permanent member of the multidisciplinary melanoma board and treatment team, actively participating in modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to melanoma.

In 2002, he stayed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, as a student. In 2011, he completed advanced training in reconstructive microsurgery at the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 2013, he undertook further advanced training at the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan, New York, USA.

- Assistant Professor Marko Jovic, Phd, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade,

- Head of the Burn Unit, Clinic for burns, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic, surgery University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

- Clinical Experience with Novosorb BTM at the Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia

Yotam Heinemann, MD

A graduate of the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine. Dr. Heinemann completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Soroka University Medical Center, where he currently serves as a senior consultant in the Orthopaedic Trauma Unit.

Following his residency, Dr. Heinemann completed a prestigious year-long Senior Trauma Fellowship at Queen's Medical Center in Nottingham, UK. Since March 2025, he has been leading the Complex Orthopaedic Trauma Services at Soroka Medical Center. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a clinical instructor and lecturer at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, contributing to the education of future medical and nursing professionals.

Name: Associate: Prof. Rado Zic, MD, PhD

Date of birth: 24 April, 1966

Place of birth: Zagreb, Croatia

Citizenship: Croatian

Present Appointment:  Head of Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Medicine University of Zagreb.

1992-1996: Trainee in General Surgery including participation in military hospitals During the Croatian war for independence.        

1995: Ph.D. in medical sciences

1996: Certification in General Surgery

2003: Certificate in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Title: Specialist of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

2003: EBOPRAS (European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Certification) -Title Fellow of EBOPRAS

2005: Examiner for EBOPRAS certification

2009: Secretary General of ESPRAS (European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and, Aesthetic Surgery) until 2018

2015 Member of the editorial board of European Journal of Plastic Surgery

2017 Member of the editorial board of Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery

2019 President ESPRAS until 2023

2020 President of the Profesional Council of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb

2022 Reelected President of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

2023 Vice president of EBOPRAS

2025 President EBOPRAS

Vladimir Uzlov MD.

Traumatologist, Accidental Surgery, Septic limbsurgery.

I am a Budapest-based trauma and orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in complex, infection-related (septic) musculoskeletal cases. I was born in 1979 in Tatarstan, I have lived in Hungary since the age of 12, I earned my medical degree at Semmelweis University in Budapest and built early frontline experience through years of emergency/prehospital work with the Hungarian National Ambulance Service.

In hospital practice, I worked in traumatology and later joined the septic/complex-trauma field at the Dr. Manninger Jenő National Traumatology Institute, taking on senior and leadership responsibilities and contributing to institutional infection-control work.

Since 2024, I am a member of the Hungarian Military Hospital where I trying to focus treating succesfully the infected cases from the first aid. I am an active participant in Hungarian professional life, as a listed member of the Hungarian Traumatology Society and as an author/presenter in national congress programmes .

The focus of my day-to-day work is limb salvage and restoring function as quickly as possible. I strive to follow up-to-date professional guidelines and to incorporate the latest recommendations on FRI into my work.

Beside my hospital work I have taken part on several occasions in the secondary care of war-injured patients, including cases complicated by infection.

Andrii P. Liabakh (MD, DrSc, Prof.) is the Head of Dpt. of Foot Pathology and Complex Prosthetics in State Institution “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”. The main directions of his work are related to foot reconstructions, orthopaedic complications of diabetes, limbs amputations. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Terra Orthopaedica”.

In 1982 he was taken to the postgraduate course for full-time tuition at the Kyiv Institute of Orthopaedics.

Since 1984 to 1994 he worked in the group on the experimental investigations and clinical application of the microsurgical technique in orthopaedic surgery.

1995 – 1996. Chief-consultant in orthopaedic clinic at Shenjang Institute of Professional Pathology.

Since 2001 he worked as a senjor researcher in the new department of Foot Pathology and Complex Prosthetics in the same Institute, and since 2011 – as a Head of this department.

AWARDS:
2019 – laureate of the prize of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for innovative solutions in orthopedics and traumatology.

2022 – laureate of the Boris Paton National Prize in the field of science and technology.

Author and co-author of more than 300 published scientific papers, 8 books.

Balázs Lenkei, M.D. serves as Head of the Traumatology Department at the B-A-Z County Teaching Hospital, Hungary. He is a leading contributor to the field of hand surgery both nationally and internationally. Dr. Lenkei is the current President of the Hungarian Society for Surgery of the Hand. His academic and professional activities extend to the European level through his roles as Co-Chairman of the FESSH Education Committee and long-standing member of the FESSH Examination Committee. His principal interests include the development of structured surgical education and the advancement of contemporary clinical practice in hand and upper- limb trauma within the unit under his leadership.

BrigGen (MC) Dr. Jens Diehm

Born on 8 June 1965 in Weinheim/Bergstraße

(Baden-Württemberg), married, two daughters.

Curriculum Vitae

1984 – 1985 Conscript, Army Air Defence Rgt 12, Hardheim  
1986 – 1987

Officers Training, Medical Academy of the Bundeswehr,

Munich

  
1987 – 1990 Medical School, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen  
1990 – 1993 Medical School, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg  
1993 – 1995 Residency, Military Hospital, Urology, Ulm  
1995 – 1998 Battalion Surgeon, HQ LANDCENT, Heidelberg  
1998 – 2000

Company Commander, Medical Coy, DEU/FRA Brigade,

Müllheim (Baden)

  
2000 – 2001

Brigade Surgeon, 31 Airborne Brigade, Oldenburg

(Niedersachsen)

  
2001 – 2003

General Staff Course 2001/2003, Bundeswehr Command &

Staff College, Hamburg

  
2003 – 2004

Staff officer (Concept Development & Experimentation),

Ministry of Defense, Medical Directorate, Bonn

  
2004 – 2006

Medical Section, HQ Supreme Allied Command

Transformation (SACT), Norfolk, Virginia, USA

  
2006 – 2008 Regiment Commander, 31 Medical Regiment, Berlin  
2008 – 2011

Deputy Director (Medical Operations), Joint Commitment

Staff, Ministry of Defense, Berlin

  
2011 – 2013 Division Surgeon, 13 Armoured Infantry Division, Leipzig  
07/2013 – 12/2013

Liaison Officer, Direction Central du Service de Santé des

Armées, Paris, France

  
2014 – 03/2015

Branch Head, Medical Operations, Bundeswehr Medical

Service Headquarters, Koblenz

  
04/2015 – 05/2016 Head of Division G3, Medical Operations Support Command, Weißenfels
05/2016

Medical Strategic Leadership Program, San Antonio, Texas,

USA
06/2016 – 07/2017

Assistant Chief of Staff, Medical Operations, Bundeswehr

Medical Service Headquarters, Koblenz
08/2017 – 06/2018 Collège des hautes études militaire/Institut des hautes études de la défense nationale, Paris, France
07/2018 – 08/2019

Director, Medical Support and Service, Ministry of Defense,

Berlin
08/2019 – 03/2020 Surgeon General of the Army, Army HQ, Strausberg
04/2020 – 01/2022 Deputy Commander, Regional Medical Support Command, Diez
02/2022 – 02/2025

Commander & Medical Director

Central Military Hospital, Koblenz
02/2025 – 07/2025

NATO Defense College, Rome

Senior Course 146
Since 07/2025

Director, NATO Military Medical Centre of Excellence,

Budapest, Hungary
       

 

Awards

1999 Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr, Silber
1999 Médaille de bronze de la défense nationale, (FRA)
1996 Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr, IFOR, BiH
1997 Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr, SFOR, BiH
2007 Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr, ISAF, AFG
2013 Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr, ISAF, Silber, AFG

 

Deployments

10/1996 – 04/1997 IFOR, BiH, Battalion Surgeon HQ IFOR, Sarajevo, Bosnia
08 – 12/1999 SFOR, BiH, Brigade Surgeon DEU/FRA Brigade, Sarajevo
07 – 12/2007 ISAF, AFG, DepCdr Medical Task Force, Mazar-E-Sharif
07/2012 – 02/2013

ISAF, AFG, Senior Medical Officer and Medical Adviser/CJMED

RC North, Mazar-E-Sharif

 

Promotions

1995 Captain
1998 Major
2003 Lieutenant Colonel
2012 Colonel
2020 Brigadier General

 

Vincent Stirler

Vincent Stirler is a military surgeon with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and trauma and reconstructive surgeon at Radboudumc, a military affiliation hospital and level-1 trauma center in the Netherlands. He specializes in extremity war injuries, pelvic trauma, fracture-related infections, and limb reconstruction. He chairs the Limb Reconstruction Team at the Radboudumc and serves as clinical lead of the Radboudumc 3D Lab. He also leads MAINIAC, a military-civilian research group advancing AI, 3D, and XR applications in acute and operational healthcare.

 

Col Dr. Vincent Stirler, MD PhD

Trauma and Military Surgeon 

Leader MAINIAC

Leader Limb Reconstruction Team

Clinical Lead Trauma @3D Lab Radboudumc 

Tim de Jong

Dr. Tim de Jong is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Radboudumc with a specialized focus on extremity reconstruction following trauma and oncological surgeries. He is an Erasmus MC medical school graduate and holds a PhD in plastic surgery. Dr. de Jong completed his plastic surgery residency at Erasmus MC, one of Europe's leading medical centers, before further honing his expertise with a specialized microsurgery fellowship at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.

 

Dr. de Jong's clinical interests are centered on complex reconstructions following war injuries, trauma, and cancer treatments. As one of the clinical leads of the Limb Reconstruction Team at Radboudumc, he plays a pivotal role in managing some of the most challenging and high-risk cases, particularly in the context of war and trauma-related injuries. His research and clinical work are driven by a commitment to advancing surgical techniques in reconstructive surgery, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients affected by severe injuries.

 

With an extensive portfolio of publications in the field, Dr. de Jong has contributed significantly to the academic community, with a particular focus on improving reconstructive strategies for complex, multi-limb injuries. His ongoing research aims to refine approaches to microsurgery and improve long-term functional outcomes for patients suffering from traumatic extremity injuries.

Dr. Shani Kesari

Dr. Shani Kesari is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and senior IDF Medical Corps officer, currently serving as Head of the Medical Services Branch. During Operation Swords of Iron, she served as Division Medical Officer.

Her military medical career includes positions as Medical Officer in special operations units, airborne medical companies, and brigade-level operations across multiple IDF commands.

Dr. Kesari completed her Emergency Medicine residency at Assuta Ashdod Medical Center, where she later served as Director of Innovation and Residency Program Director. She serves as a clinical instructor at Hebrew University's Tzameret Medical Program.

Dr. Kesari graduated from Ben-Gurion University Faculty of Medicine.

Viviána Maja Rosero MD was trained at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary (2005). She performed her residency in one of the major Trauma Centre in Budapest, DPC-Merényi Gusztáv Hospital and has improved her knowledge and skills in hand and wrist surgery with international experiences in the UK.

She is specialised in Orthopedics - Trauma (2012) and Hand Surgery (2014). She obtained the European Board of Hand Surgery Diploma in 2014 in Paris, France.  Currently works in the Traumatology and Hand Surgery Department at the Military Hospital in Budapest, Hungary.

She is member of the board committee of the Hungarian Hand Surgery Society. She is member and national delegate of FESSH Communication Committee. She has worked in the field of wrist and hand trauma for more than 18 years.

Oleksandr Haluzynskyi MD, PhD

A Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University graduate. He completed the residency program on the basis of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital. 

Postgraduate education –The Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the NAMS Ukraine, PhD, Traumatology and Orthopedics.

Oleksandr Haluzynskyi is a leading surgeon in the field of hip, knee and oncoarthroplasty, a specialist in osseointegrative limb prosthetics.

Since 2023 he has been working in the position a Senior Research Scientist at the Sytenko Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology, Kharkiv, Ukraine

 

Matan Sherf

Double board certified in plastic surgery and surgery of the hand.

Attending surgeon at the Department of Hand surgery at Sheba Medical Center. 

Dr. Sherf completed his medical studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. 

Between the years 2015-2021 he completed his residency in plastic surgery at Assaf Harofeh Hospital (Shamir). 

He then completed a residency in hand surgery and microsurgery at the Sheba Medical Center and is since then is a senior surgeon in that department. 

Dr. Sherf, has gained experience in a wide variety of surgical abilities- in both plastic surgery and hand surgery and uses it in a wide variety of conditions beginning with congenital deformities, oncologic surgery, and complex microsurgical operations

As a hand surgeon- Dr. Sherf’s main focus is in limb salvage surgeries after major trauma, and uses his experience in the lower extremity as well.

Marco Innocenti M.D.

Born January 25, 1956 in Florence (Italy). Marco Innocenti graduated cum Laude in Medicine and Surgery from University of Florence “Facolta’ di Medicina e Chirurgia” in 1981.

He completed a residency in Orthopaedic e Traumatology  Surgery in 1984,  in Hand Surgery in 1987 and in Plastic Surgery  in 2004 all three cum Laude.

He is currently the Director of  the “Orthoplastic Department ” of  Rizzoli Institute,  ( Bologna Italy) and full Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Bologna.

He acted as visiting professor at the “Henry Ford Health System” in Detroit (USA), at the “Duke University” in Durham (USA), at “Hirosaki Medical School” in Hirosaki (Japan), at Curtis Hand Center in Baltimore (USA), at “Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy” in Timisoara (Romania) , at Larissa University (Greece) , Beijing University (China) , Penn University in Philadelphia (USA), Munich University (Germany) , Hong Kong University (Hong Kong), Buncke Clinic (USA) and Penn University (USA).

Dr Innocenti’s clinical work is focused on post traumatic and post oncological functional reconstruction of bone as well as soft tissue with a special interest in the Vascularized Proximal Fibular Epiphyseal Transfer in the growing individuals and the application of perforator flaps and propeller flaps.

His clinical interest extents also to hand surgery including the treatment of the congenital differences of the upper extremity.

Dr Innocenti has been Clinical Advisor to MMI since 2015 actively participating in the development of the first robotic platform devoted to microsurgery. With Symani robot Dr Innocenti did the first robotic assisted anastomosis in human in 2020

He published 115 papers in international journals and 12 book chapters.

He is member of the editorial board of 6 international scientific journals.

He is President Elect of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM).

Dr Mark Loebenberg is the Director of Upper Extremity Surgery Dept of Orthopedic Surgery at Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva, Israel.  He was born and raised in Canada and educated in the United States.  He completed his orthopedic  residency at the University of Rochester, followed by shoulder and elbow fellowships at NYU and the Mayo Clinic.  He is an original member of the Mayo Elbow Club and has served on multiple occasions as the chairperson of the AO Europe Masters ELBOW Course.  

Jordan Lachnish, MD

Dr. Jordan Lachnish completed his medical degree at Tel Aviv University and his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Sheba Medical Center, followed by a research fellowship at Stanford University. His involvement in the treatment of numerous combat-related injuries fostered a strong interest in peripheral nerve reconstruction and complex war-related trauma. He is currently a second-year Hand Surgery Fellow at Sheba Medical Center, where his work integrates clinical practice and research focusing on patient outcomes following peripheral nerve reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Jakub Holoubek, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Jakub Holoubek a specialist in hand surgery and reconstructive microsurgery, currently serving as a consultant at the Trauma Hospital Brno and Mediprime Clinic, Czech Republic. He is also an assistant professor at Masaryk University. His clinical expertise spans trauma, burns, and complex limb reconstruction.

Dr. Holoubek has completed several international fellowships, including at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre (UK), UZ Gent (Belgium), and CTO Piti, Milan, (Italy). He has participated in multiple humanitarian surgical missions in Ukraine and Ethiopia. His research focuses on microsurgical reconstruction, hand surgery, and biomaterials.

Ihor Mykolaiovych Kurinnyi

Born on March 30, 1959
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Highest Qualification Category

I hold a higher medical education and have been practicing as an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon since 1982.

In 1991, I defended my Candidate of Medical Sciences thesis entitled “Surgical treatment of chronic combined injuries of the median and ulnar nerves (at the level of the forearm and wrist).”
In 2008, I completed my Doctor of Medical Sciences thesis: “Consequences of polystructural trauma of the upper limb and their surgical treatment.”

Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (2010).
Vice President of the Ukrainian Association for Hand Surgery.
Member of the European Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH).

Currently, I work as a Leading Researcher at the Department of Microsurgery and Reconstructive Surgery of the Upper Limb at the State Institution “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.”

I have extensive experience in performing complex reconstructive procedures for the consequences of upper limb injuries using microsurgical techniques (free tissue transfer, nerve reconstruction).
In recent decades, I have focused particularly on reconstructive surgery of the elbow joint.
I also have significant experience in treating severe gunshot injuries of the upper limb.

I am the author of over 150 publications and participate annually in various orthopaedic forums in Ukraine and abroad (presentations, lectures).

Hennadiy Kolov

After graduating from Vinnytsia National Medical University and completing an internship in Traumatology and Orthopedics at Vinnytsia City Clinical Hospital No. 2, Hennadiy Borysovych Kolov studied in clinical residency from 2002 to 2004 at the State Institution “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”.

Since 2004, he has been working in the Department of Bone and Purulent Surgery of the State Institution “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the NAMS of Ukraine”.

In 2008, he defended his Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation on “Diagnosis and treatment of purulent complications after joint replacement of the hip and knee.”

 

In 2025, he defended his Doctoral dissertation on “Infectious complications after metal osteosynthesis of long bones of the extremities: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the course.” The results of this work are now actively implemented in specialized departments across Ukraine.

 

Throughout his career, he has been engaged in both clinical and scientific activities, contributing to the development and implementation of advanced treatment methods in septic bone and joint surgery.

 

He is the author of 93 scientific publications, co-author of two monographs and three methodological guidelines, and holds three patents for inventions.

He has presented his work at numerous scientific conferences, congresses, and professional meetings in Ukraine and abroad.

 

Dr. Kolov is a member of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) and the World Association against Infection in Orthopaedics and Trauma (WAIOT).

As an orthopedic traumatologist of the highest qualification category, he applies modern diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques, with particular focus on complex septic complications in military and civilian patients.

In 2023, due to treating severely injured patients, he doubled the number of complex surgical procedures performed personally, spending over 750 hours in the operating room.

Dr Edward Harvey, MDCM MSc FRCSC FIOTA FAAOS, is a full professor of surgery at McGill University. He has degrees in biophysics, biomedical science, and medicine, plus has completed multiple clinical fellowships. He is the inaugural recipient of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Chair of Surgical Excellence at McGill and is currently the head of the Surgery and Interventional Sciences program at the MUHC-RI. He has held several prominent national and international positions including president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, editor in Chief of the Canadian Journal of Surgery, chair of the program committee of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and head of basic science at the OTA. His research focuses on the repair and recovery of the trauma patient. This encompasses fundamental and clinical aspects of healing, including implant and fracture optimization, biosensors, evaluation of novel hardware and surgical approaches to expedite fracture repair, and innovation and business models in surgical discovery. He has founded multiple companies in the sensor, biomedical, and electronics fields- and has held senior management positions at assorted companies. He actively collaborates with basic scientists, clinicians, and others to drive mutual research goals with meaningful clinical outcomes.  

Dana Yelin

Dr. Dana Yelin is an Infectious Diseases specialist in Sheba Medical Center, Israel. 

She has been treating orthopedic patients with infections for the past 7 years, and In the past two years has treated over 200 patients with complex infections following combat injuries. 

Andrew Bauder

I am a hand and reconstructive microsurgeon at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. I have an adjunct appointment through the University of Pennsylvania where nonprofit funding has allowed our global health team to provide complex orthoplastic care in Ukraine over the last 2-3 years. In this time I've performed nearly 100 free flaps in Ukraine and learned from many of the educational and capacity building challenges presented by modern war trauma in a resource limited environment.

Yurii О. Yarmoliuk

General traumatologist of the armed forces of Ukraine

Сhief of Division of Injury

MD, Doctor of Sci (Med), Professor

 

Yurii Yarmoliuk is the Chief of Division of Injury, National military and medical

center "GVKG". General traumatologist of the armed forces of Ukraine.

Honored doctor of Ukraine, laureate of the State Prize in the field of medicine and

technology. Professor of the department of orthopedics and traumatology

O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Doctor of Medicine. 

More than 28 years of experience in the specialty. Participant of more than 125

conferences in Ukraine and abroad as a speaker. Permanent internships abroad:

England, Italy, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, USA, France, Israel, Austria.

Since 1997 Yurii Yarmoliuk has been working at the National military and medical

center "GVKG". Since 2022 general traumatologist of the armed forces of Ukraine.

Since 2014 he has been treating injuries from anti-personnel mines, gunshot wounds

of the limbs. He has relevant experience in the treatment of bone defects, as well as in

the treatment of gunshot osteomyelitis. His experience has formed the basis of many

monographs, methodical recommendations, scientific articles (including Scopus). In

the same direction, the existing system of providing medical care is being improved.

The implementation of modern surgical technologies and the development and

improvement of both external and internal fixators, surgical protocols when using

osteoplastic materials, which makes it possible to optimize the provision of medical

care.

Dr. Yoram Klein is the Director of the Trauma and acute care surgery unit at the Sheba Medical Center.

  • Education & Training:
    • M.D. from the Hebrew University – Hadassah School of Medicine in Jerusalem.
    • General Surgery Residency at Rambam Medical Center.
    • Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, Florida.
  • Specializes in emergency and critical care surgery, with extensive experience in managing complex injuries, severe intraabdominal emergencies, and mass casualty preparedness and response. He has more than 30 years of experience in combat and civilian trauma care, including more than 20 mass casualty incidents.

 

Dr. Serhii Tymoshenko - PhD, Member of the European Board of Hand Surgery

Head Surgeon at the Department of Microsurgery and Reconstructive Hand Surgery,

Ukrainian State Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Dr. Tymoshenko has been working at the Ukrainian State Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics in Kyiv for the past 25 years. He currently serves as the President of the Ukrainian Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Dorottya Saringer
Physiotherapist

I  work as a physiotherapist at the Orthopedic-Traumatological Rehabilitation Department of the Rehabilitation Clinic at Semmelweis University.

I am involved in the treatment of the after care of trauma patients and post-amputation rehabilitation. Exercise and movement has always been an essential part of my life, and my goal is to share this passion with my patients by helping them regain mobility and confidence in their everyday lives.

First name: Levente

Surname: Várhelyi

Nationality: Hungarian

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 02.03.1968.

Unit: Hungarian Defence Forces Medical Centre Military Hospital, Budapest, Hungary since 1992

Rank: Colonel

Position: Chief Surgeon of the Hungarian Defence Forces, Head of  Department of Trauma of the HDF Medical Centre

Medical degree: Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary, 1992

PhD degree: Treatment of Blast Injuries, Zrínyi University of Defense, Budapest, Hungary, 2010

Certifications: Orthopaedics 1997, Traumatology 1999, Hand surgery 2001

Specific field of interest: trauma care, military medicine, mass casualty care, disaster medicine

Educations:

Dept. of Orthopaedics, Halland County Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden, 1991

Dept. of Trauma, Milan City Hopsital, Italy, 1992

Dept. of Hand Surgery, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Israel, 1999

DSTC, ETC

Memberships: APIMSF, Hungarian Society of Trauma, Hungarian Society of Orthopaedics, Hungarian Society of Emergency Medicine

Deployments: SFOR, Bosnia, 1998

KFOR German Field Hospital, Prizren, Kosovo, 2006-07

ISAF RCN German Medical Treatment Facility, Mazar e Sharif, Afghanistan, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13.

Languages: English, Italian, Russian

Publications: 96

 

Dr. Moore, Professor and Chair of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, holds the Robert L. Ruberg MD Alumni Endowed Chair.

She received her undergraduate degree from University of Richmond and her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

She completed her Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine where she dedicated an additional two years as a Peripheral Nerve Research Fellow.

Dr. Moore then completed Mayo Clinic’s Orthopedic Hand Fellowship in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. Moore’s first faculty appointment was at Washington University School of Medicine, where she was the Program Director of the Hand, Nerve and Microsurgery Fellowship and Chief of the Section of Hand Surgery and Trauma.

Dr. Moore is a peripheral nerve surgeon focusing on restoring upper and lower extremity function in adults and children.

As a committed surgeon-scientist, she has developed a parallel research program with currently more than $5 million in funding from the Department of Defense (DoD). She has published her clinical and translational research findings with over 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and chapters.

She has served in leadership positions within her institution and national societies.

She iscurrently President-Elect of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve.

She is also a Board Examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Andrii Lysak, MD, PhD, FEBHS

Head of the "Reconstructive microsurgery and orthopaedic surgery" department of SI "Main Medical Clinical Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine" in Kyiv, Ukraine. Trained as an orthopaedic surgeon but found his interest in hand, peripheral nerve, brachial plexus surgery and reconstructive microsurgery of the upper extremity.

Since 2012, a member of the Ukrainian Hand Surgery Society and, since 2015, secretary of the Ukrainian Hand Surgery Society.
In 2020, successfully passed the European Board of Hand Surgery Examination.
Since 2022, an overseas member of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand.
From 2022, national representative of the Clinical Practice Committee of the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand in Ukraine.
In 2023, he was awarded the honorary award of the president of the British Association of Orthopaedic Traumatologists for his significant contribution to developing the speciality.
Since 2024, a member of the Global Nerve Foundation educational committee.
Since 2024, a national delegate from Ukraine in the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Author and co-author of more than 70 published scientific papers.

Zvi Steinberger, MD

A Ben Gurion University Medical School graduate. He completed the residency program in Orthopaedic surgery and clinical fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery both at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

Later on Dr. Steinberger completed a year as a research fellow and a yearlong clinical fellowship in Orthopalstic surgery both at PENN University in Philadelphia, under the guidance of Dr. Scott Levin.

Dr. Steinberger us leading the Micro and Orthoplastic surgery unit at Sheba Medical Center since November 2021. His main interest is limb salvage surgery and he has been dedicating his work to saving and improving functionality of upper and lower limbs.

Stephen J. Kovach, MD, FACS

Dr. Stephen Kovach serves as Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania as well as the Herndon B. Lehr Endowed Professor. Dr. Kovach completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania followed by medical school at the George Washington University. He completed his general surgery residency as well as his basic science research fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He completed his plastic surgery training at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC as well as the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery in Louisville, KY. Dr. Kovach’s practice consists of reconstructive surgery and reconstructive microsurgery. Dr. Kovach practices the spectrum of general reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery with an emphasis on abdominal wall reconstruction and extremity reconstruction. Dr. Kovach has authored over 275 manuscripts, numerous book chapters, and speaks at national as well as international meetings regarding reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Kovach is a member of multiple national and international societies and has a keen interest in development of microsurgical capacity in areas of worldwide need.