By Dr. Eugenia Vercelli (IT) and Prof. Cecilia Maria Cracco (IT)
Eugenia’s impressions of the programme
EUREP24 was an awe-inspiring programme that offered an overview of the complex relationship between guidelines and daily clinical experience. The programme provided a unique chance to be face-to-face with experts in an open environment where there are no stupid questions, but just curiosity and eagerness.
We were told that the concept behind EUREP is “connection and interaction”, because together we can get better. The programme went beyond my expectations also because I lived this experience with my mother, Prof. Cracco, who was in charge of the module on stones and upper tract endourology!
Since I pursued urology, I knew that our paths would cross eventually in this field, and it did, becoming a further element of strength for us both. My mother is my role model, and I realised I became her added incentive to keep herself up-to-date and improve. We attended the event as mother (EUREP faculty member) and daughter (young urologist attendee), and it was a wonderful and challenging week for us.
Surely, the Hands-on Training for a surgeon are the most interesting and amusing part, but I truly appreciated to have the chance to review all the key topics in urology. My take-home message in the end was never stop asking questions and be open to expand your knowledge and skills. EUREP24 was an incomparable experience!
Cecilia’s account of EUREP24
This year was my second year as faculty, and I believe I enjoyed EUREP much more than the first year, when I constantly felt anxious for the completely new experience. In 2023, I learned a lot about the expectations of our enthusiastic attendees, thirsty for both theoretical and practical knowledge. Thus, my main goal in 2024 was to provide this knowledge for them as much as possible.
I prepared my presentations with a supplement of love and dedication because I knew that hundreds of young residents would be there and my daughter, Eugenia, would be among them. In fact, she initially decided to become an M.D. and then a urologist, also attending my department for six months.
I must admit that I was very proud of her choice to attend EUREP24, but at the same time I felt a bit apprehensive about her expectations of the programme. In the end, we shared a wonderful experience and had a lot of fun.
We tried to be well-balanced; avoiding to brazenly exhibit our kinship (many residents thought we were working together in our country), but at the same time without hiding as if being mother and daughter was something improper.
I received a fair and impartial advice, as well as an insightful observation from Eugenia which always hit the mark: the programme is a unique opportunity for personal growth, allowing me to get closer to the residents’ needs, and be permeated by their contagious enthusiasm (karaoke and Italian dinner included!).
