Gordon John

Dr. Gordon John serves as Senior Consultant at the Department of Oral Surgery and Admissions within the Faculty of Medicine at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU). His role uniquely bridges clinical practice and medical education, specializing in hands-on surgical training through innovative formats like the 'Schweinekieferkurs' (pig jaw course) for tooth extractions and suturing.

His expertise centers on Oral Surgery, Dentistry, and Medical Education, with emphasis on sensory-based learning where students internalize visual, olfactory, and tactile surgical cues through direct patient interaction. Dr. John champions experiential training over theoretical instruction alone, recognizing that 'experiencing firsthand is essential' for surgical competence.

Recognized through multiple nominations for the Medical Teaching Award (including 2021), his student-centered approach features:

• Flexible pandemic adaptations using MS Teams while preserving in-person practicals
• Informal student interactions to reduce procedural anxiety
• Integration of patient communication as core surgical skill

Dr. John actively mentors students in clinical settings, focusing on building confidence through psychological safety nets during high-stress procedures. His current initiatives target surgical education infrastructure improvements, particularly live procedure broadcasting and operating room screen installations to enhance observational learning capacity.