YPL Dr. Venetia Giannakaki Awarded EANS Leadership Scholarship

Dr. Venetia Giannakaki, a distinguished alumna of the Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme in 2021-2022, has been honoured with the prestigious 'EANS Leadership in Neurosurgery Scholarship for Diverse Leaders', by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). Dr. Giannakaki's achievement highlights the global impact of IAP's YPL initiative in shaping healthcare leaders.

The YPL programme, launched by the IAP in 2011, has been a beacon for physicians under 40, providing a unique platform for leadership training in global health issues. In collaboration with the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin) and with support from partners like the Tides Foundation, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the Bayer Foundation, the YPL programme has empowered around 250 young physicians worldwide.

Dr. Venetia Giannakaki, a fifth-year neurosurgical trainee in the North East of England, shares her journey from being a YPL participant to receiving the EANS scholarship, reflecting on the invaluable experiences gained during the YPL programme and emphasizing the impact of in-person interactions, leadership workshops and the opportunity to collaborate with a global network of peers.

"I was delighted to have been selected to join the YPL group, and our journey started with a first online meeting during the WHO Summit in October 2021, where I had the opportunity to meet my peers for the first time. However, the real value of this course was later realized when we met in person in Rome in June 2022," says Dr. Giannakaki.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the selected 2021 YPL cohort met during the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting 2022 in Rome. The YPL workshop brought together 15 young physicians from diverse backgrounds worldwide, fostering a commitment to improve healthcare globally. Giannakaki emphasizes the programme's effectiveness in building a global network of like-minded clinicians, educators, researchers and health policymakers.

Apart from her clinical pursuits, Giannakaki is a dedicated trainee representative at the Surgical Specialty Board in Neurosurgery for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. She is also pursuing a Master's in Medical Education at Keele University, focusing on challenges in neurosurgical training in the UK.

The IAP extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Giannakaki on receiving the EANS Leadership Scholarship, recognizing her outstanding achievements and leadership in neurosurgery. Her success exemplifies the transformative impact of the YPL programme in cultivating future healthcare leaders.

Read the article by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, announcing Venetia Giannakaki's award here.