The fourth round of the EAN Mentorship Programme ended in November 2024 and we are deeply grateful to our mentors, who share their time, knowledge and experience with their mentees.
We would now like to give the stage to a selection of dedicated mentors to share some of their experiences from the last round of this 1-year programme and let them tell you how they benefit from being a mentor.
Insights from Mentors
Anita Arsovska, North Macedonia – My mentorship experience has been incredibly rewarding, offering both personal and professional growth. Working with my mentee has reinforced my belief in the power of guidance and support in shaping someone’s development. The programme’s structured approach allowed me to connect deeply with my mentee, providing a safe space for her to express challenges and goals. One of the most memorable moments was when we met face-to-face during the EAN Congress in Helsinki 2024, where we decided on important aspects of our mutual collaboration.
Ioannis Stavropoulos, UK – My experience as a mentor was rewarding and exciting since the very first meeting with my mentee, who was eager to learn and grow. Our discussions were mutually inspiring and there was such a positive feeling in using my career’s experience to help a younger colleague to build confidence and schedule the steps needed to achieve their goals. In parallel it was a learning process for me. I learned a lot about the challenges junior neurologists face, some of them quite different from what I faced when I trained. On top of that, mentorship triggered meaningful self-reflection and recognition of missteps which I could share and discuss and hopefully deepened both my mentee’s and my sense of purpose.
Alin Teodosiu, Romania – While mentoring might initially seem beneficial only for the mentee but not the mentor, the reality is far from it. The EAN Mentorship Programme in particular, can help both sides identify personal and professional weaknesses, course correct them, and discover untapped resources that will enhance their career paths. During my one-year tenure, I worked with an extremely passionate mentee who was inspiring in his pursuit of both the clinical and theoretical sides of our speciality. As such, I strongly believe that all neurologists should at one point experience both sides of the relationship, first as a mentee and then a mentor. And with the resources offered by the EAN, that process is all the easier.
If you feel inspired now – join us! We welcome you to be part of the EAN Mentorship Programme and participate as a mentor or mentee. Mentors are welcome to apply all year long, the next application for mentees opens on 23 June 2025.
