A message from the ERS President, Prof. Silke Ryan

A message from the ERS President, Prof. Silke Ryan - article image

29 October, 2024

I feel deeply honoured to be addressing you for the first time as ERS President. Serving as leader of a Society which has already achieved so much makes me proud and is a great privilege.

I would like to express my huge gratitude to my predecessor Professor Monika Gappa for her outstanding work and contribution and it is with immense pleasure that I will pick up where she left off – with a clear vision and strong commitment to continuously nurturing ERS to its full potential.

I am also conscious of the big responsibility. We are continuing to face enormous challenges as result of climate change, natural catastrophes, hostile political conflicts and many other threats, contributing to the enormous burden of respiratory diseases. It is now, more than ever, important that we combine all our forces to support every professional and every person living with a respiratory condition. I am strongly committed to working very hard with every possible stakeholder for this goal. I am looking forward to further expanding our advocacy activities towards policymakers and the general public to promote respiratory health, clean air and a smoke-free world.

As a specialist in respiratory sleep disorders, I will also put a specific emphasis on the dramatic global public health burden of sleep apnoea and related conditions, raising widespread awareness and promoting better and equal access to appropriate care.

The ERS members are the foundation, heart and soul of our Society. Their dedication to advancing healthcare, contributions to research and education, and their unwavering passion for improving lives are the very essence of who we are as a community. Our membership has continuously grown in numbers, with currently more than 34,000 members representing over 160 countries worldwide – broadening the diversity in expertise and needs.

Over the last few months the ERS leadership, in conjunction with the ERS office, has defined new strategic focus areas to adapt and respond to our global membership and to challenges and trends in healthcare and technology. I am immensely excited to lead the implementation of those goals within the next few months. I am particularly keen to adopt the fast-rising catalogue of digital solutions to ERS activities, empowering members to provide state-of the art respiratory care.

As I embark on this undertaking as ERS President, it fills me with confidence to see myself surrounded by the immense skill, dedication and passion that flow throughout our Society. Here is to a great year ahead!

Prof. Silke Ryan, ERS President

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