Three visionary vascular surgeons - Prof. Dr. med. Jens-Rainer Allenberg (University Hospital Heidelberg), Prof. Dr. med. Georg Hagmüller (Wilhelminenspital Vienna), and Prof. Dr. med. Jon Largiadèr (Klinik im Park, Zurich) - conceived the idea of sharing their expertise and practical experience through simulation training using lifelike models. Enthusiastic industry partners, notably Albert Panzeri and Toni Meile, supported the concept. A pilot vascular course in Zermatt was planned for the following spring, and development of the first models began in collaboration with the Anatomic Institute of the University of Zurich.
Four months after its inception, the inaugural “Zermatt Vascular” workshop took place. Despite modest resources, the innovative concept of simulation training received strong support from both participants and industry partners. Intensive efforts to refine and professionalize the course content and models followed.
The first bilingual workshops were introduced in German and French, expanding the reach of the courses beyond the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Vascular International tutors conducted courses in Milan, followed by sessions in Palermo and Siena. The first advanced course was held, laying the groundwork for today’s master class, and an endovascular simulator was introduced into the training program.
Pontresina became the central hub for Vascular International. The renowned Pontresina courses - comprising both basic sessions and master classes - rapidly evolved into an international elite training unit, drawing participants from across the globe, while the course content and models continued to advance.
Leadership transitioned to a new foundation board comprising Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans-Henning Eckstein, Prim. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Afshin Assadian, Prof. Dr. Jürg Schmidli, Prof. Dr. Hardy Schumacher, and entrepreneur Hanspeter Kiser.
The Vascular International School AG was established as part of a strategic realignment and expansion of activities under the management of Toni Meile. Based in Fürigen, Vascular International garnered international recognition for the high quality of its courses and simulation models, which now underpin training across the entire field of vascular medicine and are accredited by major certifying bodies.
A reorganization of the internal management structure led to the establishment of a new Management Board, incorporating members of the Board of Trustees and active tutors, including Prof. Dr. Lorenz Gürke and Dr. Klaus Klemm M.Sc.
The VI community celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Kronenhof in Pontresina—a memorable event attended by the founders and featuring a programme moderated by renowned Swiss actor Hanspeter Müller-Drossaart. Rising demand for courses and models necessitated a search for a new headquarters, culminating in the relocation of equipment from Toni’s garage in Grabs to a spacious facility in Kerns, Obwalden, while retaining a smaller workshop in Grabs for engineering and logistics.
New courses, “Competence in Emergency Vascular Surgery for Non-Vascular Surgeons,” were introduced in collaboration with the German and French armies and organized in Ulm, marking a significant expansion of VI’s training portfolio.
In response to strict EthicalMedtech regulations, flagship courses previously held in Pontresina were relocated to the city of Lucerne, situated near the headquarters in Kerns.
The COVID-19 era prompted a strategic regrouping of activities, with a focus on developing and producing simulation models in-house. During this period, a state-of-the-art cardiovascular model and a MiniEndo model were developed with strong industry support. Additionally, financial constraints led to the relocation of the January flagship courses to Sarnen, a site even closer to the headquarters.
Vascular International achieved self-sufficiency in producing most of its models and materials at facilities in Kerns and Grabs. This year also marked the passing of founder Prof. Georg Hagmüller, a significant moment in the organization’s history.
A renewal of the management structure took place as Hanspeter Kiser transitioned the role of CEO to his daughter, Kimia, and the board of directors was reorganized, setting the stage for the next chapter in Vascular International’s evolution.