The EANS Congress 2026, held in Hamburg, Germany, from 30 September to 4 October, brought together the international neurosurgical community for five days of scientific exchange, education, and collaboration. Among the most meaningful moments of this year’s Congress was the celebration of the 2026 Catherine Wurster Scholarship, awarded to Grace Djonde from Côte d’Ivoire in recognition of her inspiring project, Neurotrauma Registry and Evidence-Based Prevention – Kids (NREP-Kids).
Established in loving memory of Catherine Wurster, the Scholarship reflects a deeply personal commitment to transforming remembrance into opportunity, hope, and meaningful progress. Through the extraordinary dedication and generosity of Catherine’s parents, Mathias Wurster and Dr. Vera Van Velthoven, this initiative continues to honour Catherine’s memory by empowering young professionals, encouraging education and research, and advancing awareness and prevention of traumatic brain injuries.
On 1 October 2026, Grace Djonde was formally honoured during a special ceremony at the EANS Congress in Hamburg, where she received a commemorative plaque in recognition of her achievement. The scholarship support the development and implementation of her NREP-Kids project, helping turn her vision into meaningful action and contributing to improved neurotrauma prevention and care for children.
The ceremony was made particularly moving by heartfelt speeches from Catherine’s mother – Dr. Vera Van Velthoven, Prof.em. of Neurosurgery and Grace. Their words brought together the personal meaning behind the Scholarship and the aspirations of a new generation of neurosurgical professionals, reminding everyone present of the profound human impact that such initiatives can have.
Thanks to the generous support of Catherine’s family and the EANS Foundation, Grace was able to travel from Côte d’Ivoire to Hamburg and participate in the Congress in person. For her, this represented an exceptional opportunity to engage with leading specialists, exchange knowledge, build professional connections, and become part of the wider international neurosurgical community.
Her presence was also a powerful illustration of the Scholarship’s purpose: to open doors, nurture talent, and create opportunities that can make a lasting difference.
The EANS Foundation wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Mathias Wurster and Dr. Vera Van Velthoven for their unwavering commitment, generosity, and continued personal involvement in bringing this remarkable initiative to life and ensuring its lasting impact.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Board members of the EANS Foundation for their thoughtful evaluation, dedication, and close collaboration throughout the year. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in identifying and supporting promising projects that reflect the values and mission of the Scholarship.
The Catherine Wurster Scholarship is more than an award. It is a living tribute to Catherine’s memory – a legacy of compassion, opportunity, and hope for the future.
The EANS Foundation is proud to contribute to this meaningful initiative and looks forward to following Grace Djonde’s progress as she brings her project to life, helping translate knowledge and research into better prevention and care for children affected by neurotrauma.
