As the EAN Mentorship Programme celebrates its five-year anniversary we are happy to announce that we have matched 184 pairs so far, with mentees coming from 42 EAN member countries, and our pool of mentors currently has more than 80 experts in 36 fields of neurology and education.
Why do you need mentoring during your career path?
Mentoring is a learning support mechanism where an experienced person provides guidance, knowledge and advice to someone who is in development or has less experience about a specific topic or function. Among the benefits for both are not only knowledge exchange but also personal growth and professional skill development.
For this reason, the Resident and Research Fellow Section (RRFS) initiated this programme more than five years ago. With the help of a dedicated Task Force, the initial idea has evolved into a thriving and enriching programme for both early-to-mid career neurologists and more senior neurologists alike.
The career development workshop at the annual EAN congress is not only for networking but also for the participants to learn from each other and help the Task Force to enhance the programme. At this year’s workshop, participants were given the chance to connect with fellow mentees and mentors, as well as potential new participants, during the informal coffee break at the beginning of the session. Then, after a short introduction by the co-chair Selma Aybek about the principles and reasoning behind mentoring, the participants were guided by Irina Vlad to work in groups of two, groups of four, and groups of ten on various topics, discussing their expectations, challenges, and experience, and working together on possible solutions. Feedback was then presented to the entire group and Task Force.
A highlight of every workshop is the interview session with two current mentor/mentee pairs. This year Cristian Falup Pecurariu and Irina Vlad interviewed the first pair, Marianne de Visser and Francesco Daddoveri, and the second pair, Alberto Picca and Sara Garcia-Bellido Ruiz, on the stage.
First picture, left to right: Sara Garcia-Bellido Ruiz, Alberto Picca, Marianne de Visser, Francesco Daddoveri
Their personal feedback and statements on their mentoring relationships made clear to all participants in the room how important it is to be transparent from the beginning, to be open about mentoring needs and expectations. They also reported on where the guidance they have received has already helped in decision making.
This programme is a unique opportunity to connect with renowned neurologists and receive valuable guidance and advice for professional development in a very informal setting.
The next round opens on 15 July until 15 September, and we encourage RRFS and full EAN members to use this opportunity to seek guidance as a mentee or help and guide a junior neurologist as a mentor.
Are you interested in joining the EAN Mentorship Programme? Application for mentees is open until 15 September 2026; mentors can apply all year round!
