STRONG INTERNATIONAL HEARTS – Recognizing Your Individual Limits in Cardiac Surgery
Berlin, January 8 to 11, 2026
Dear colleagues,
following the repeated successes of the Strong GermaN HeaRTS workshops in the past three years, and in response to several requests, we are pleased to lift this special event up to the international level in the upcoming year.
We are delighted that application is now open for interested surgeons from around the globe.
In order to qualify, you will have to be close or just after your board certification. Specifically, we look for applicants that have a basic set of surgical skills and are either close to operating independently or have just taken this step.
In cooperation with the Special Anti-Terror Forces of the German Federal Police (GSG9), we will again offer 36 hours of non-stop, no sleep cardiac surgery training, during which operative and academic skills will be taught, trained and tested.
If you are interested in testing your personal limits and are ready to face this challenge, you can expect a uniquely designed seminar without compromises. GSG9 coaches will provide classes on teamwork and the meaning of responsibility for leaders. In addition, individual skills for mental fitness, concentration ability and operative performance will be repeatedly tested under growing conditions of sleep deprivation.
Strong International Hearts will take place from January 8 to 11, 2026, at the Langenbeck-Virchow-Haus in Berlin.
To apply, please send your CV and a letter of motivation explaining why you are willing to participating in this course. Please note that participation is at your own risk. The organizers do not assume any reliability for personal injury or other personal circumstances. If selected, a fee of 495€ applies. Hotel reservations will be made for the group from Thursday through Sunday at a discounted rate, which will have to be covered by each individual at checkout. All selected participants are expected to be present at the welcoming dinner of Thursday night at 19h.
Complete applications must be sent to via email to germanhearts@dgthg.de no later than September 30th, 2025.
Applicants will be informed about their acceptance/rejection by mid-October.
We are looking forward to your applications.
Your Strong International Hearts Organizing Team
Prof. Dr. Torsten Doenst | Dr. Andreas Beckmann | Dr. Hristo Kirov | Dr. Tulio Caldonazo | KWNTR, Special Forces Coaching BPOL