A report from MERC2012; written by Dr. Guido Wölk from Hamburg, Germany
MERC 2012 – Tehran, Iran
Excellence in Surgery and Hospitality
Report by:Dr. Guido Wölk, Hamburg, Germany
Tehran welcomes again…
For the third time Tehran hosted the Middle East Congress on Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery (MERC) on April 24 – 27 2012. For more than 500 Participantscongress venue was the Milad Hospital Convention Center right next to the magnificent Milad Tower and in sight of the snow covered Alborz Mountains. In town world-famous museums, lush gardens and the always-busy bazaar waited not only for the first-timers in Iran in a warm spring breeze.
A unique congress structure…
As the congress president and head of the Rhinology Research Society Dr. Mohsen Naraghi successfully gathered a distinguished group of speakers who are experts in their field and well known. Again Participants were able to take part in a unique structure for a congress about facial plastic surgery and rhinology. The main topics – plastic surgery and sinus surgery- were addressed differently and offered sessions both for beginners as well as for experts. All sessions were presented with high standards and always focused on practical aspects. Many of the audience took chance and asked world-famous masters detailed questions to get even more out of these four days. Instructional videos and live surgery were the icing of the cake and made this intense event perfect.
Speaker Highlights…
Out of the many excellent speakers the following sticked out by the numbers and class of their presentations:
Tom Wang from Oregon, United States gave a variety of lectures in all fields of facial plastic surgery. In every presentation a clear teaching concept was noticeable and made it easy to follow for the audience. Questions were answered very detailed and profound.
M. Pelle from Italy focused on facial rejuvenation and lift techniques. With 20 years of experience he was able to teach beginners first steps in the specific field of surgery and give more advanced surgeons advices for specific problems.
E. Robotti from Bergamo, Italy and H. Foda from Alexandria, Egypt gave stunning lectures about every thinkable detail of nose surgery and really filled out this area that no question was left unanswered. Rows were usually packed to gain most from their year-long experience.
M. Bernal-Sprekelsen from Barcelona, Spain and J. Ponikau from Buffalo, United States covered with in various high-class lectures endoscopic surgery of the sinuses at its best. They presented interactively and made the audience a part of their presentations.
A warm and welcoming atmosphere…
There might be many world class meetings on the planet, but hardly any will reach the level of hospitality among the participants. The majority coming from middle eastern countries spread this unique atmosphere from the get go of the congress. Visitors from Europe, America and East Asia turned from strangers into colleagues the minute they entered the building and many conversations built bridges over different nationalities and gave especially first-timers the feeling of belonging to the facial plastic family of this congress. For many this was the difference beside the world-class lectures to say: “MERC 2014 – I´ll be there… again” more...
The opening ceremony provides an opportunity to honor many meeting attendees who contribute to the subspecialty of rhinology and facial plastic surgery. During this ceremony, Prof. Fazlollah Reza Award will be presented to three of pioneer colleagues to tribute their... 
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Iran as old as history itself inherits one of the most ancient civilizations of the planet. Throughout the years, its culture has influenced different parts of the globe from the Nile River to the heart of Europe.