What is the YNNN?
The association of Young Neurologists, Neurosurgeons and Neurophysiologists (YNNN) was founded in the 1970’ies in Denmark. The YNNN was formed from the Danish associations of Neurology (DNS), Neurosurgery (DNKS) and Clinical Neurophysiology (DSKN), but it is an independent association. It started with small meetings in basements, but in the last 10 years the association has grown into a nation-wide organization with about 350 members, and the annually joint meeting gathers more than 100 members.
The main purpose of the YNNN is to represent the members’ clinical and professional interest. There are educational and career committees inside the YNNN who help with organizing meetings and workshops. The work in the YNNN is voluntary.
The members:
YNNN Members must have a membership of one of the main Danish associations (DNS, DNKS or DSKN). Medical students are exempted and have an associated membership, with the same rights as regular members, although they cannot become board members. The membership costs 50 euros per year.
The Board:
The YNNN Board consists of seven regular members and two altering members. The members of the board are elected each year by the general assembly. To make sure that the board represents the whole nation, the positions are divided between the three country regions and at least two of the subspecialties. Four positions go to Eastern Denmark, two to Southern Denmark, two to Northern Denmark, and one to neurosurgeons. The board meets 5-6 times a year to discuss different issues that concern our members (education of residents, difficulties in recruiting, regional disparities, etcetera). Another assignment of the board is to keep up-dated the website www.ynnn.dk, where members can find information about the activities, and the residency training. Every year the members nominate a “Teacher of the Year”. The board evaluates the nominees and choose a winner.
The YNNN is also active in recruiting in neurology and participates to the “Carrier Day”, where medical students are introduced to different specialties.
Activities:
YNNN organizes yearly a 2-day joint meeting (3rd weekend in January) that gathers members from the entire nation. Each year a main topic is chosen. Experienced speakers, often senior consultants and professors, are invited. There are about seven lectures and case-based presentations. This year the YNNN had the first international speaker, who was a great success. The main topics were: stroke, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-otorhinolaryngology, rheumatology, emergency neurology, and neuroimaging. There is the tradition to finish the first day is with a “Neuro-Bowl”, an event that is both amusing and educational. Three-four times a year there are regional meetings or one-day workshops. These events are small and usually take place at the local departments. The teaching is often more interactive, with patient interactions. The newest initiative is a meeting where members can learn about post gradual education and discuss the future of the residency training.
The YNNN’s perspectives:
The YNNN is now working on new plans and ideas, such as investigating the possibilities of travel grants for the members and planning collaboration with related specialties. Since the YNNN has grown to a great extent over the last decade, the board is also working on an internal more organized structure with better defined roles for the board members.
