President’s Greetings

2.1.2022

Respected Colleagues, Dear Friends!

Another year has passed and we still suffer from the Corona pandemic. In this respect, I sincerely hope that you and your dears are well.

In the beginning, when we did not have measures except for masks, distance and hygiene, our established concepts of teaching Anatomy were challenged seriously. However, your creativity and immense efforts made studying possible at your facilities. Many different solutions were developed and material and ideas were shared between different faculties. Concepts were realized, which we would not have thought of because you do not think of changing successful strategies. Now we were forced to do so.

Looking at the results, many of us have realized that some of the new developments may be better than what we did before. At least I think that we will not go back to all the old concepts.

Besides, we learned how to use the different video conference systems for lectures, committee meetings, research seminars and PhD defences. Most surprisingly, they turned out to be effective and most times, they even worked well. However, there is one purpose where using these systems is possible – our colleagues from Ghent have made a perfect example for a purely virtual congress: a hearty “thank you very much” to the organizing team again!!! – but something very important is still missing, the social life and networking evolving when people meet in person, sit together and chat and have a drink or two.

That brings me to the next point, our search for a colleague willing to organize our EAVA Congress in 2023. There have been very fruitful discussions and it seems that we were successful. However, it is too early to lift the curtain – so I ask you to be patient a little longer. Anyway, the upcoming event in summer 2022 is the meeting of the YGVA organized by Karl Klisch and his colleagues in Zurich, Switzerland. There all colleagues young at heart will be welcome. An official invitation will follow soon.

By the way, if you have questions, ideas or remarks concerning our association, please let me know. The new board is meeting regularly and will deal with all matters brought to our attention in due course.

Last but not least, I hope that you all had a peaceful and relaxing Christmas allowing you to look towards the New Year with new power and optimism.

I wish you a Happy Healthy and Prosperous Year 2022.

All the best and hope to see you soon in person,

Christiane Pfarrer