STRONGER TOGETHER – BUILDING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ESRA - ESRA

ESRA Updates

July 2026 | Issue 22

STRONGER TOGETHER – BUILDING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ESRA

Marc Van de Velde (Chair of PROSPECT, UZ Leuven, Belgium) @MarcVandeVelde6
Clara Lobo (Editor of ESRA Updates; Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE) @claralexlobo
Thomas Volk (ESRA Past-President, Saarland University Hospital, Germany) @ThomasVolk16
Geert-Jan VAN GEFFEN (ESRA Past President; Radboud University Medical Centre Gelderland Netherlands))
SHARE

 

Dear ESRA Members,

Over the past months, our Society has gone through an unusual and important period in its history. Moments like these are never easy. They ask more from all of us: patience, dialogue, reflection, and above all, trust.

Today, before speaking about plans, projects, elections, congresses or activities, we would simply like to say one thing:

Thank you.

Thank you to every member who remained engaged.
Thank you to those who participated in discussions.
Thank you to those who attended the Extraordinary General Assembly.
Thank you to those who voted.
Thank you to those who expressed concerns, asked questions, shared ideas, offered support, and continued to believe in ESRA.

The participation and overwhelming support received during the Extraordinary General Assembly gave a clear message—not only of confidence in the proposed path forward, but of commitment to our Society and its future.

We do not take that trust for granted.

ESRA has always been much more than a scientific society. It is a community of professionals, colleagues, mentors, trainees, collaborators and friends connected by a common purpose: improving care through education, science, innovation and human connection.

Periods of challenge also bring opportunities.

Opportunities to listen better.
To communicate more openly.
To strengthen our structures.
To become more inclusive.
To remain humble.
To improve.

As Interim Major Officers, we see our role not as defining the future alone, but as helping create the conditions for members to build it together.

The months ahead should not be about looking backwards.

They should be about healing where needed, restoring trust where it was shaken, learning where lessons exist, and moving forward with openness, honesty and respect.

Continuity does not mean standing still.
Transparency does not mean perfection.
Growth does not mean forgetting our values.
Community does not mean always agreeing.

It means staying at the same table, having difficult conversations when necessary, respecting one another, and continuing to work for something bigger than ourselves.

ESRA belongs to all of us.

In this newsletter you will see not only updates and plans, but opportunities:
to participate,
to contribute,
to lead,
to volunteer,
to connect,
and to help shape the next chapter of our Society.

As we now turn our attention toward Lisbon 2026 and beyond, we do so with optimism and with gratitude.

There is still work to do.

And there is also much to be proud of.

Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your commitment.
Thank you for continuing to build ESRA together.

With appreciation,

The Interim Major Officers

Continuity. Transparency. Growth. Community.

Topics: Community , Education , ESRA Interim leadership

43rd ESRA Annual Congress 2026 in Lisbon

Subscribe To Our Mailing List

We treat your personal data with care, view our privacy notice.