My Career – My Values

Since the beginning of my medical studies in Innsbruck in 2005, I have been intensely focused on the intricacies of human anatomy. I have always been interested in understanding the underlying connections of diseases. During my role as a tutor (and medical illustrator) at the Institute of Clinical-Functional Anatomy within the context of an advanced anatomical education group, I was able to deepen this knowledge further.

Throughout my studies, my passion for involving and imparting knowledge to younger students, colleagues, and patients continued to grow. It became increasingly clear to me that a strong doctor-patient relationship can only be built through effective communication across various media platforms.

After several international stays at renowned universities, including Charité in Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Alicante, and Dhulikhel (Nepal), I completed my medical studies in 2011 with a research project on health promotion and the effects of mental relaxation methods on the cardiovascular system (particularly regarding blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability) at the Institute of Social Medicine. My final internship during my studies took me to the Eye Clinic in Heidelberg with a scholarship, where I found my calling in the combination of intricate manual work, modern diagnostic capabilities, patient interaction on an equal footing, and ultimately an interdisciplinary approach (“thinking outside the box”). This was also fueled by my interests and hobbies: drawing, photography, and meditation. Attached is one of my drawings depicting the vascular supply in the periocular region, which was chosen as the cover image in the Ophthalmologist journal.

I laid the foundation for my extensive clinical and surgical training as an ophthalmologist at the University Eye Clinic in Heidelberg immediately after completing my studies. There, I gained broad clinical and diagnostic experience. Concurrent with my clinical work, I completed my doctorate in 2015 on the use of various viscoelastic substances in cataract and ophthalmic surgery, also in Heidelberg. I obtained my German and European ophthalmology specialist qualifications (FEBO) in 2017 and presented my research at numerous national and international scientific conferences.

In 2019, I was promoted to senior physician, overseeing the general outpatient clinic and appointed as the educational coordinator for HeiCuMed (medical student education at the University of Heidelberg).

My clinical knowledge expanded daily through senior physician consultations in the areas of eyelid, cornea, glaucoma, emergency, uveitis, and retinal consultation hours. Over the years, I received several awards for presentations and videos, including a second-place award in the Educational Video section at ESCRS 2021. Attached is a link to our award-winning video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ebExQeXWRw

Training younger colleagues and, no less importantly, patients who often turned to the university hospital as a last resort ignited my passion. “The successful treatment of an underlying pathology through an individual or holistic therapeutic approach has always been close to my heart because only those who understand the disease’s connections can truly heal.”

That’s why in 2020, I decided to pursue a unique part-time master’s program at the University of Heidelberg, the Master of Medical Education (MME), to elevate and professionalize medical knowledge dissemination to a higher level.

In parallel, I completed a degree in business administration with a focus on healthcare economics (MHBA) at the University of Erlangen in 2018. My thesis addressed the improvement of ophthalmic care in severely underserved areas in India by optimizing workflow processes in one of the world’s largest eye clinics, the Aravind Eye Hospital.

“I chose to establish my own independent private ophthalmology practice because personal patient care is my top priority.

Conducting thorough, evidence-based eye examinations and providing individual consultations without time constraints and on equal footing with the patient, free from external economic pressures, allows me to ensure your optimal care can only be provided within this framework.

Whether you are a private patient or insured by statutory health insurance and opting for self-payment, you are warmly welcome. All medical services rendered will be transparently billed according to the Fee Schedule for Physicians (GOÄ). Private health insurers will cover these costs depending on the agreed-upon deductible. Patients with statutory health insurance will be responsible for payment, as these costs are not covered by statutory health insurance.”

Dr. Auerbach is a member of the following professional associations:

German Ophthalmological Society (DOG): http://www.dog.org

German-speaking Society for Intraocular Lens Implantation, Interventional and Refractive Surgery (DGII): http://www.dgii.org/de

European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS): http://www.escrs.org/

European Dry Eye Society (EuDes): https://www.dryeye-society.com/