1. What inspired you towards neuroscience?
During my
medical studies in Debrecen, Hungary I was introduced to a highly interesting and
complicated field which had still so many unknown aspects.
The fact that
many neurological diseases have still no treatment and cause unfortunately
disability and death, made me feel challenged and it motivated me to search for
answers.
My goal in
life is to contribute to this mysterious field and improve and save people’s
life.
2. Why stroke?
Stroke can
unfortunately be a very devastating disease. It is pleasant to be able to
improve and to cure people which suffer from stroke. Seeing my patients smile,
after being able to move again their limb or to be able to speak, worth’s
everything for me.
3. What have been the highs so far?
Besides being
a resident, I am currently taking part as well at the ‘European master in
stroke medicine’ which is taking place in Austria. This course is a great
opportunity to acquire knowledge in stroke medicine from the best neurologists
and neuroscientists in this field. Later on, after finishing my residency, I
would like to complete PhD studies.
4.
What have been the lows?
Losing
patients life despite performing all lifesaving treatments and methods, makes
me still disappointed.
In addition,
the difficulty combining working full time as a neurologist, being a mother and
doing research.
5.
How do you balance work life with the needs of home life?
I think that
to find the right balance is pretty difficult for every physician especially
for a woman and mother. Being raised by my mother which is a great physician
and mother, made me being able to incorporate both things in life. Thanks to
precise planning its working not bad so far.
6.
Who are your most important mentors and how did you find them?
The decision
to become a medical doctor was influenced by my physician mother. I am very
happy to have her there always for me and for directing me in my life. My love
to neurology was attributed to my neurology professor during my medical
education Prof. Dr. László Csiba. The way he taught fascinated me
and I have decided to become a neurologist and later on to teach students the
same great way that he performed it. I am as well very thankful to Dr. Milan
Vosko which is the head of the stroke unit in the hospital I am working at. He
taught me Neurosonology, clinical oriented case solving and was always there
when I needed advices. Furthermore, it was a privilege to get to know Prof. Dr.
Michael Brainin during my current master studies and I am looking forward
acquiring knowledge from him.
7.
What are your most important collaborations and how have you built them?
Working in a big university
hospital requires a good network among cerebrovascular neurologists, radiologists,
vascular surgeons and cardiologists. Currently
we are having a very interesting collaboration with our ophthalmology
department concerning the treatment of an acute central retinal artery
occlusion with Intravenous tPA. International collaborations are the best
opportunities to combine different expertise to gain better insights into neurological
complex diseases.
Dr. Anna Weichselbaum is a neurology resident at the Kepler University Clinic, department of Neurology II, Linz, Austria
