New roles, familiar faces… and a few quick questions
Lisbon was about much more than science, workshops and catching up with friends. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter for ESRA, with the election of new Major Officers and new members of the Executive Board.
Some of the names will be very familiar. In fact, that is probably the nicest part of this introduction. These are colleagues many of us already know from ESRA congresses, workshops, committees, Working Groups, webinars and countless projects over the years. What is new are the roles — and the responsibility that comes with them.
So, rather than giving you eight long biographies, we thought we would keep this very ESRA: introduce the people, tell you where they are coming from, and then ask them a few quick questions.
Our new Major Officers
Eric Albrecht 🇨🇭 – President-Elect University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland
Eric is certainly no stranger to ESRA. A clinician, researcher and educator with a strong academic background in regional anaesthesia, he has been involved in ESRA’s scientific and guideline activities for many years. He now takes on a very different challenge as President-Elect.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Eric
ESRA in three words? Eric: Science, sharing, friendship
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to ESRA in your new role? Eric: A strong sense of teamwork, with transparency, responsibility, and inclusion at the heart of how we move forward together.
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Eric: In three years, I would like ESRA to be an even stronger, more inclusive and more influential scientific society, recognised for the quality of its education, research, guidelines, and international collaboration.
Alan Macfarlane 🇬🇧 – Treasurer Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland
Another very familiar ESRA face. Alan has been involved across ESRA education, scientific activities, guidelines, webinars and the World Day, so his relationship with the Society goes well beyond his new responsibility for its finances. He now moves from contributing to many ESRA projects to helping safeguard the resources that make them possible.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Alan
ESRA in three words? Alan: Collaborative, inspiring and leading
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to ESRA in your new role? Alan: As treasurer I will bring hard work, experience, honesty and transparency to my role, working with our Office team, Board and Council and our members to help grow the society and invest in the future of regional anaesthesia and pain medicine.
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Alan: In three years, I would like ESRA to be an even bigger, better and stronger community. I think we can achieve this by working together, listening to our members, improving the diversity of our society and creating opportunities for people to get involved.
Axel Sauter 🇳🇴 – Secretary General Oslo University Hospital – Rikshospitalet, Norway
Axel also comes to the role with considerable ESRA experience, including work within the Scientific, Grants & Awards and Winter Week activities. As Secretary General, he now moves into one of the central roles connecting the many different parts of the Society.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Axel
ESRA in three words? Axel: Community, education, innovation.
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to ESRA in your new role? Axel: “I would like to strengthen trust and collaboration across our Society — between the Board, Council, committees, and all ESRA members.”
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Axel: “ In three years, I would like ESRA to be an even more open, inclusive and connected Society: one where every member feels involved, ideas flow freely, and our work helps shape regional anaesthesia and pain medicine worldwide
Four new voices on the Executive Board
Four colleagues also joined the Executive Board following the Lisbon elections, bringing perspectives from Turkey, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Can Aksu 🇹🇷 – Executive Board Member Kocaeli University Hospital, Turkey
Can has already been actively involved in ESRA educational activities, including the Clinical Workshops, and has supported ESRA’s wider international activities in regional anaesthesia. Now he brings that experience to the Executive Board.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Can
ESRA in three words? Can: Innovation, Education, Collaboration
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to the Executive Board? Can: The one thing I would most like to bring is a strong bridge between academic work and daily practice, by turning our educational efforts into practical tools that help colleagues on the ground make regional anesthesia safer.
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Can: strengthened as the world’s reference society, supported by clear, shared standards and strong international communication and networks.
Steve Coppens 🇧🇪 – Executive Board Member University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
If you read ESRA Updates, attend our educational activities or spend any time around the ESRA congress, Steve probably needs very little introduction. He has been closely involved with ESRA education and the Scientific Committee and, of course, has been one of the familiar voices of this newsletter.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Steve
ESRA in three words? Steve: Collaborative. Energetic. Supportive.
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to the Executive Board? Steve: “I will bring a high-energy, positive vibe that sparks collaboration, fun and a more open society.”
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Steve: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be like a happy, tight-knit family that naturally brings out the best energy and positivity in everyone.”
Rebecca Heinen 🇩🇪 – Executive Board Member University Hospital Cologne, Germany
Rebecca joins the Board from Cologne and brings a strong involvement in regional anaesthesia education. She has already been part of ESRA’s hands-on teaching activities, including our cadaver workshops, and is actively involved in regional anaesthesia education in Germany.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Rebecca
ESRA in three words? Rebecca: Expertise. Friendship. Respect.
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to the Executive Board? Rebecca: A fresh perspective — challenging established thinking while ensuring every voice is heard and keeping everyone together.
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Rebecca: In three years, I would like ESRA to be a community that continues to shape and advance regional anaesthesia and pain medicine across Europe — united by trust, friendship and a shared passion.
Luc Tielens 🇳🇱 – Executive Board Member Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Luc is a paediatric anaesthesiologist at Radboudumc and brings another important perspective to the Executive Board. His election also comes at a time of renewed activity in paediatric regional anaesthesia within ESRA.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Luc
ESRA in three words? Luc: Best Regional Anesthesia Family
What is the one thing you would most like to bring to the Executive Board? Luc: I would like to make pediatric regional anesthesia more visible within ESRA.
Complete the sentence: “In three years, I would like ESRA to be…” Luc: To make a visible well organized Pediatric Regional Anesthesia group and program within the ESRA.
And representing the next generation…
Emer Scanlon 🇮🇪 – Residents & Trainees Representative St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
And finally, an especially important voice around the table. Emer joins as the new Residents & Trainees Representative, making sure that the people who represent ESRA’s future are also part of the decisions we make today. ESRA has invested increasingly in trainee participation and visibility, and this role provides a direct connection between that community and the Society’s leadership.
ESRA Quick-Fire with Emer
ESRA in three words? Emer: Inspiring, educational and supportive
What do residents and trainees most need from ESRA today? Emer: To feel heard, supported and connected – and to have a sense of community and practical support as we navigate training.
Complete the sentence: “I want young ESRA members to feel…” Emer: I want young ESRA members to feel that ESRA is a community they can turn to throughout their training.
One team, a new chapter
Different countries, different backgrounds and different areas of expertise — but now one leadership team.
Elections change names and titles, but a Society is never built by a Board alone. It is built by its members, its Council, committees and Working Groups, its trainees and faculty, the ESRA Office, and by all those who give their time and ideas throughout the year.
Lisbon gave this new team its starting point. Now the interesting part begins.
We look forward to hearing their answers — and, even more, to seeing what comes next.
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