Paul Warnke: Trip to the 4th Medical Student World Congress of Neurosurgery in Florence - A milestone in my career

The participation and co-organization of the 4th Medical Student World Congress of Neurosurgery in Florence was a formative milestone in my career to date - an intense experience in a historic city, characterized by lively international exchange between students and experts as well as the inspiring spirit of a young, globally networked neurosurgical community. Set against the backdrop of Florentine Renaissance architecture, the congress offered a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of neurosurgical science and training.

As one of the main organizers, I not only took on responsibility, but also gained comprehensive insights into the complex processes behind the organization of such a major event. Since my first contact with the Walter E. Dandy Neurosurgical Society (WEDNS) and Prof. Abdulrauf in 2022, it has been my goal to be actively involved in the organization of international neurosurgical formats. After my first experiences at the congress in Hamburg, I was able to take over the chairmanship of the Joint Corporate and Sponsorship Committee (JCSC) this year - a task that challenged my organizational skills as well as my professional understanding and communicative sensitivity.

© EANS – European Association of Neurosurgical Societies

Together with four other chairs and our Congress President and Vice President, we organized an event that brought together over 450 participants from all over the world. In addition to renowned lectures from the various subspecialties of neurosurgery, we organized practice-oriented workshops in which experienced neurosurgeons shared their knowledge and techniques. It was particularly significant for me that the congress was scientifically evaluated as part of an impact study - a pioneering step towards evidence-based medical training.

This position of responsibility not only enabled me to deepen my knowledge, but also to make valuable contacts with leading figures in the field. The content of the workshops and the cooperation with industry partners required a sound understanding of current neurosurgical procedures and technologies - knowledge that I was able to expand significantly through my active involvement. At the same time, this experience strengthened my personal confidence in dealing with complex projects and interdisciplinary teams.

I passed on my enthusiasm for the WEDNS vision to my fellow students at TU Dresden with great conviction. In the meantime, a committed group of students has become part of this dynamic movement - many of them traveled to Florence, were inspired and gained important impulses for their own research. Through my involvement, I was not only able to contribute to further academic development, but also to strengthening social cohesion within the student body - an aspect that is just as important to me as science.