Dear EAN members, colleague and friends,
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to take the chance to recap the past year, in my new role as EAN Secretary General.
I have been involved with EAN for many years, initially as Editor-in-Chief of Neuropenews and EANpages and, in the past two years, as EAN Treasurer. As you know, I was appointed EAN Secretary General during the 2020 EAN Virtual Congress for the term 2020-2022.
As Secretary General, it is my responsibility to represent the interests of our broad membership in the Board. I also review all Full, Corresponding and FEAN membership applications, together with the membership department. Moreover, I am involved in the EANcore COVID-19 Task Force and in the EAN Gender Diversity Issues in Neurology Task Force.
It is my honour to serve as the link between our members and the Board, and I look forward to working on your behalf.
The 2020 has been a challenging year for many people across Europe and the world. Neurologists have had to respond to the unfolding COVID19 pandemic crisis. The EAN has also had to respond and it has been a very busy year for us from several points of view. However, 2020 has also been marked by Society growth and the realisation of several important new projects. Our Society has taken opportunities to meet new challenges:
- The launch of a dedicated Task Force on COVID-19 and neurology, the EANcore COVID-19, has brought EAN to the forefront of the response from the neurological community to the pandemic. Among its initiatives, the Task Force has launched an international neuro-COVID-19 registry (ENERGY) and published two papers on COVID-19 and neurology. There is also a lively exchange with the WHO’s global COVID-19 Neuro Research Coalition and other societies. Furthermore, breaking news on COVID-19 and neurology are published on EANpages on regular basis, to keep our members up to date on scientific developments in the field. The EAN website and EANpages have become a go-to resource for colleagues during the pandemic.
- At only six weeks’ notice, the Paris 2020 Congress was transformed into the Virtual Congress 2020. EAN officers and staff worked tirelessly to set-up the platform and to record and upload presentations to provide a memorable congress experience for over 45,000 participants. It was a big success that led to an 86% increase in membership. With the virtual format, thousands of participants around the globe were able to join the meeting, received access to important medical and scientific knowledge, and EAN has successfully transitioned into a new era of modern congress organisation.
- At the beginning of the year, EAN switched to a new database system and launched a new MyEAN user area. The expansion of the database is an ongoing project that, in addition to simplifying membership application and renewal, will also make congress registrations and applications for grants and educational events much easier in the future.
- There were many more developments, such the establishment of the Student task force, and Student teaser grant that will be introduced shortly, building up a repertoire of online learning resources and mentorship programme that will support neurologists in training in their education and career.
It has been an eventful year in many ways. EAN has adapted and reacted to events and this would not have been possible without the vibrant community of members who support EAN activities and help us to bring the home of neurology to every doorstep, desk and department.
As membership renewal draws close, I hope you will continue to support EAN in enhancing medical education and advocacy in Europe and the generation and exchange of scientific knowledge on your behalf. The call for renewal will be sent in December to all Individual members.
At the end of a challenging year, we all hope that 2021 will bring success in the fight against COVID19. Together, we are stronger. Stay safe and healthy.
Yours,
Elena Moro
EAN Secretary General
EAN Head office
Breite Gasse 4/7
1070 Vienna, Austria
Phone: 43 1 889 05 03
Fax: 43 1 889 05 03 13
