The concept of the EPNS Visiting Teacher initiative: A volunteer professor / senior/ distinguished member of the EPNS, from Europe who is a recognised expert in a certain field, visits a nominated host centre in a country in Europe which is classified by the World Bank per capita income group 1, 2 or 3, or EPNS category WB4B (email info@epns.info for clarification) for a short stay of intense teaching. Travel and stay will be supported by EPNS. It may be considered that these visits will take place annually thereafter, if the first visit proves to be a success.
EPNS is proud to support the following in 2026:
EPNS Visiting Teacher Kevin Rostasy visited Ukraine 26-28 April 2026
We are delighted to share the following two reports of the Masterclass “Acute Neurology in Paediatrics – a Training Course” organized by the Ukrainian National Society of Paediatric Neurology and supported by the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) using both the EPNS Visiting Teacher and EPNS Supporting Education schemes on 27-28 April 2026 in Truskavets, Ukraine.
REPORT WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR KEVIN ROSTASY
After a warm official welcome from different professionals of the Ukrainian health care system and the mayor of the city of Truskavets at the foothill of Carpathian Mountains, plus an introduction from the EPNS President (A. Jansen) the hybrid meeting started in the Kozyavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic.
The first day consisted of two overview lectures in the field of acute inflammatory disease of the CNS (K. Rostasy) and the management of stroke and it’s mimics (I. Kopyta), followed by an interactive case-based session in the afternoon. Participants foremost colleagues involved in the field of paediatric neurology came from various parts of Ukraine despite widespread daily arial assaults by Russia. They enthusiastically engaged with both speakers addressing a theoretical and practical questions and joined afterwards for an evening meal at a nearby restaurant in addition to dancing to Ukrainian songs.
The next day topics ranging from catastrophic onset/course of epilepsy (S. Zuberi), new epilepsy classification (D. Craiu) to acute ataxia (M. Steinlin) and the unconscious child (D. Bakker) were presented.
In summary this was an informative meeting which was very well organized by colleagues at the Ukrainian National Society of Paediatric Neurology contributing to the growth of the paediatric neurology community in a war- torn country. All participants expressed multiple times their gratitude for the ongoing support of the EPNS through it’s contributing members in person and online in these difficult times.
REPORT WRITTEN BY COLLEAGUES IN UKRAINE
On 27–28 April 2026, the EPNS-supported training course “Acute Neurology in Paediatrics” took place in Truskavets, Ukraine, bringing together Ukrainian paediatric neurologists and leading European experts in a hybrid educational format.
The course was organised by the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS), Association of Child Neurologists of Ukraine, with the support of the International Rehabilitation Clinic of Prof. Kozyavkin.
Despite the challenges of wartime, the event successfully provided high-level medical education and strengthened international professional collaboration. The programme focused on key topics in acute paediatric neurology, including autoimmune encephalitis, demyelinating disorders, paediatric stroke, catastrophic epilepsies, acute ataxia, altered consciousness, and movement disorders.
The faculty included Prof. Kevin Rostásy and Prof. Ilona Anna Kopyta onsite, while Prof. Sameer Zuberi, Prof. Maja Steinlin, Dr. Dewi Bakker, and Prof. Dana Craiu joined online.
A major strength of the course was its interactive format, combining lectures with clinical case discussions and practical diagnostic approaches. The hybrid format enabled participation of physicians from different regions of Ukraine and promoted equal access to modern paediatric neurology education.
The course also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between EPNS and the Ukrainian paediatric neurology community, supporting the development of paediatric neurology education and implementation of European standards of care in Ukraine.
On behalf of the Association of Paediatric Neurologists of Ukraine, we sincerely thank the European Society of Paediatric Neurologists for their support and contribution to the development of professional education in paediatric neurology in Ukraine.
EPNS Visiting Teacher Altynshash Jaxybayeva will visit Kyrgyzstan in May 2026
report to follow soon