Candidate Statement: Walter Struhal

Walter Struhal

I am grateful to the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the Austrian Society of Neurology (ÖGN) for considering me for the position of elected trustee.

I am a neurologist based in Tulln, Austria, with a subspecialty in neurocritical care. I serve as professor of neurology and head of department at the University Clinic Tulln at Karl Landsteiner University. My clinical and academic interests include autonomic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, neurocritical care, and medical education.

My engagement with the WFN began in 2009 when I initiated a Young Neurologists working group inspired by Vladimir Hachinski and Wolfgang Grisold. The inaugural meeting took place at the 2009 World Congress of Neurology in Bangkok. In 2010, I was invited by Raad Shakir to support the website team, and I helped establish the WFN’s first social media presence. I subsequently contributed to the Education Committee and the Global Neurology Workforce Survey. From 2014 to 2023, I served on the E-Communication Subcommittee, overseeing the redesign and modernization of the WFN website.

I currently serve as editor-in-chief of eNeurologicalSci and co-editor of World Neurology. I have also served as president of the European Federation of Autonomic Societies, co-chair of the Ethics and Quality Advisory Board of EAN, and president-elect of ÖGN.

I believe in training and education in neurology to address the high burden of disease. WFN has a unique opportunity to strengthen e-learning, support blended learning, enable training and experience exchange through department visits, and foster on-site learning and support the initiatives of national neurological societies.

Global neurology collaboration is a central priority for WFN. In times when resources may shift from neurosciences and patient services, the WFN is of exceptional importance to advocate for global neurology — supporting initiatives aligned with WHO IGAP and the national neurological societies. I would be grateful for your support. Please vote for me if these priorities resonate with you. •