New ideas for orthopaedic treatment and care: Dr Doris Maier and Thomas Münch shape the world congress of OTWorld 2026 as congress presidents
With a breath of fresh air and many years of expertise, Dr Doris Maier and certified master prosthetist and orthotist Thomas Münch are taking over the management of the content of the OTWorld 2026 world congress. Both individuals are outstanding experts in their field and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience to further develop the congress. Their vision: To network prosthetics and orthotics even more closely on an interdisciplinary basis and thus launch forward-looking, innovative orthopaedic treatment and care. Together with the programme committee – a 23-member panel of experts from orthopaedic (footwear) technology, medicine, physiotherapy and research as well as representatives of renowned specialist societies – they are laying the foundations for a world congress that will be the central hub for international knowledge transfer and technological innovation in 2026.
Dr Doris Maier: Interprofessional care at the highest level for optimum quality of life
Dr Doris Maier, Chief Physician and Head of the Centre for Spinal Cord Injuries and Neuro-Urology at the BG Trauma Clinic in Murnau, has been leading a successful model of interprofessional collaboration at the Spinal Cord Centre for years. With the highest medical standards at the “Surgical Spine Centre of Excellence”, Dr Maier always focuses on the patient: Her teams, comprised of trauma surgery/orthopaedics, neuro-urology, neurology, respiratory and internal medicine, paraplegia therapy and specialist nursing staff, work hand in hand with prosthetists and orthotists to provide patients not only with the best possible medical care, but also the best possible quality of life.
“Close cooperation between medicine and prosthetics/orthotics is essential,” explains Dr Maier. “Only through this connection can we ultimately achieve a quality of care that allows patients to quickly return to their everyday lives.”
Thomas Münch: Many years of experience and commitment to prosthetics & orthotics
Thomas Münch, master prosthetist and orthotist as well as managing director of the long-established company Münch und Hahn in Duisburg with over 25 years of experience as head master of the Düsseldorf Guild and as a board member of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT), brings valuable expertise to the congress management. He is also committed to promoting education and research in prosthetics and orthotics through the Münch Foundation, which he and his wife founded.
“Technical orthopaedics is like a big family that has grown close together over the years,” says Münch. “With Dr Maier and a strong team of international experts, we will define the priorities for 2026. Our aim is to further expand the synergies between orthopaedic (footwear) technology, medicine and therapy.”
With Dr Maier and Thomas Münch at the helm, OTWorld 2026 will become a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. The team strives to provide integrative orthopaedic treatment and care that set global standards and establish a new level of patient care.
