Professor Sophio Bakhtadze, Vice-Rector of Tbilisi State Medical University and Head of the Department of Child Neurology, has been elected as a member of the Board of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) for the 2026–2030 term. Additionally, she will chair the Committee of National Advisers (CNA).
In an interview with Medscriptum, Professor Sophio Bakhtadze discussed the significance of this decision:
“I have been elected as a member of the Board of the European Paediatric Neurology Society. This means that over the next four years, from 2026 through 2030, I will work alongside representatives from 31 European countries to develop various guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of pediatric neurological diseases.
Furthermore, within the Board, I will serve as the Chair of the Committee of National Advisers (CNA). Within the scope of this committee’s authority, my goal is the harmonization of postgraduate pediatric neurology education across Europe, the implementation of unified standards, and the development of a common examination and licensing system. Simultaneously, I automatically become a member of the Education and Training Committee, which is responsible for preparing and monitoring various clinical guidelines,” stated Sophio Bakhtadze.
It is noteworthy that Sophio Bakhtadze is the first Georgian to be elected as the chair of a committee within this organization. Moreover, she is currently the sole representative from the post-Soviet states to hold a seat on the EPNS Board.
The European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) is one of the most influential professional organizations in the field in Europe, with 3,500 members. Its activities aim to advance a unified European standard for the diagnosis, treatment, and supervision of children with neurological disorders through scientific research and educational initiatives.
The organization’s Board consists of 31 representatives from various European countries. The Committee of National Advisers (CNA) is one of the seven committees within the Board’s structure. This committee unites pediatric neurology societies from 45 countries and serves as a vital link between the EPNS and national associations. The function of the CNA is to implement and harmonize the principles of postgraduate pediatric neurology education within a common European system.
