Marianne de Visser
I am a neurologist and professor emeritus of neuromuscular diseases at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
The first time I encountered the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was in 1993 as a delegate of the Netherlands Society of Neurology at the World Congress of Neurology in Vancouver, Canada. I was impressed by the large number of engaged delegates and wanted to contribute my own part as well.
From 2002 to 2008, I was an elected trustee under Jun Kimura and later Johan Aarli, both inspiring presidents. I witnessed President Aarli’s successful outreach to the World Health Organization (WHO) and his Africa project, which he built with Gallo Diop from Senegal to spread knowledge of neurology across Sub-Saharan Africa.
I chaired the WFN Nomination Committee for many years, and later the Membership Committee. I worked hard with my committee members to expand the membership base, although there are still many African and Southeast Asian countries that are not yet members.
After holding board positions with the European Academy of Neurology (2014-2020), I became a WFN co-opted trustee under President William Carroll (2020-2021). A highlight of his presidency was the adoption of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) at the World Health Assembly in 2022, which is now being implemented worldwide.
Earlier this year, WFN President Steven Lewis appointed me acting secretary general, a position he held until he was elected president. It is a great honor to once again be part of the WFN, to work together toward the worldwide dissemination of knowledge in the field of neurology, and to invest in brain health, a fundamental social and economic priority.
I solemnly pledge that, should I be elected secretary general, I will do everything in my power to give neurologists worldwide a voice. •
