Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our division here at WashU Medicine is fortunate to have international experts in the field of regional anesthesia. In 2024, fellows in regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine were invited to the Netherlands to observe at Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC) under the direction of Dr. Holger Baumann, who holds joint appointments at both WashU Medicine and AUMC. This exchange provided fellows with insight into the European model of an academic anesthesiology department in a country where English is widely spoken. Fellows spent time in the perioperative area observing the organization of the regional anesthesia service, as well as in the OR and on the wards, rounding with the acute pain service. This collaboration highlighted areas for quality improvement to be implemented both in St. Louis and Amsterdam.