Tissa Wijeratne

Thank you for taking the time to read my candidate statement. It is a great honor to stand for election as secretary general of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN).

A lesson I learned as a medical student in rural Sri Lanka has guided my career ever since: Where a person lives should never determine their access to quality neurological care. That belief continues to inspire my work as a neurologist, educator, researcher, and advocate.

Although I have authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, I am proudest of developing people. Over the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of mentoring more than 200 neurologists, 550 physicians, and 52 PhD graduates, many of whom now lead clinical services, research, universities, and neurological organizations around the world.

The WFN has profoundly shaped my own journey. As a trustee and chair of the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee, I have worked with colleagues from every region to strengthen education, advocacy, and international collaboration. Together, through World Brain Day, we have helped make brain health a truly global priority.

If elected, I will listen, serve, and deliver. I will work to strengthen every member society, foster collaboration, support education and research, empower the next generation of neurologists, and champion equitable access to neurological care — especially in low- and middle-income countries.

I firmly believe the WFN’s greatest strength is its member societies. Together, we can build a stronger federation, advance brain health and access for all, and improve the lives of the 3.4 billion people living with neurological disorders worldwide.

It would be a great honor to earn your trust and serve as your secretary general.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with your national neurological society to hear your ideas and priorities. •

Valery L. Feigin

I am Prof. Valery L. Feigin from New Zealand. I am director of the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences at Auckland University of Technology, affiliate professor at the University of Washington, founding chair of the Global Burden of Disease Stroke and Neurology Collaborations, research fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and editor-in-chief of Neuroepidemiology. I am honored to be considered for the position of elected trustee for the World Federation of Neurology (WFN).

For more than three decades, I have dedicated my career to advancing neurological health through research, prevention, education, policy, and international collaboration. Working with colleagues across world regions, I have contributed to improving understanding of the burden, causes, prevention, and management of neurological disorders and translating scientific evidence into action. I have also served on several World Health Organization (WHO) expert groups, including the WHO Stroke Advisory Group for the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), where I contributed to the reclassification of stroke as a neurological disorder.

If elected, I would bring experience in global neurological leadership, partnerships, strategic planning, and evidence-informed policy development to the WFN board. My work has focused on strengthening neurological prevention, reducing inequities in neurological health, and supporting the use of evidence to guide policy and service planning worldwide.

I believe the WFN has an opportunity to further strengthen its leadership in brain health, education, advocacy, capacity building, and support for member societies — particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of neurological disorders is greatest.

As trustee, I would work collaboratively with member societies to expand access to neurological knowledge and services, support the next generation of neurologists, and promote solutions that improve neurological health globally.

I would be honored to contribute my experience, energy, and commitment to advance the WFN’s mission of fostering quality neurology and brain health for people, families, and communities worldwide. •

Janis M. Miyasaki

It is a privilege to be considered for an elected trustee position with the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and to potentially contribute to WFN’s mission of fostering quality neurology and brain health worldwide.

My involvement with the WFN has been active and sustained. From 2019 to 2024, I served as chair for the Palliative Care Scientific and Teaching Sessions, helping to advance education and dialogue in an area of growing importance within neurology. I also served on the Scientific Advisory Committee from 2023 to 2024 and as an abstract reviewer in Movement Disorders from 2023 to 2025. I have also been an invited speaker at World Congress of Neurology meetings, contributing to sessions on advocacy, neuropalliative care, physician wellness, telemedicine, movement disorders, and brain health.

My broader international work reflects longstanding commitment to global neurology education, collaboration, and capacity-building. Through the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, I held multiple leadership roles, developed an online educational program for neurologists without access to movement disorders fellowship training, and mentored international neurologists.

In the American Academy of Neurology, I served as treasurer and vice president, chaired the Global Task Force to strengthen support for international members, and continue to serve on the Global Subcommittee.

I contributed to the development of neuropalliative care in Asia, including a 3-day symposium in Hong Kong that led to implementation in two hospitals. In 2025, I taught undergraduate medical students in Wenzhou, China. These opportunities teach me about neurology practice internationally and the importance of advocacy to promote brain health for all.

If elected, I would bring experience in international education, organizational leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, strategic planning, and program development. I would work to support WFN’s vision by strengthening global partnerships, advancing neurological education, and promoting equitable access to high-quality neurologic care worldwide. •

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. •