Een gesprek met de ESPD-president - De kracht van samenwerking in de kinderdermatologie

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De European Society for Pediatric Dermatology (ESPD) is een Europese vereniging die zich inzet voor de bevordering van kennis, zorg en samenwerking op het gebied van kinderdermatologie. Via haar jaarlijkse congres, webinars en opleidingsprogramma’s brengt de ESPD clinici, onderzoekers en jonge artsen samen om recente wetenschappelijke ontwikkelingen, casuïstiek en praktische behandelrichtlijnen te delen.

Lidmaatschap van de ESPD biedt tal van voordelen, ook voor dermatologen die niet uitsluitend in de kinderdermatologie werken. Leden ontvangen aanzienlijke korting op deelname aan het congres, gratis online toegang tot de tijdschriften Pediatric Dermatology en European Journal of Pediatric Dermatology, en deelname aan het ESPD Pediatric Dermatology Training Scheme, dat opleidt en certificeert volgens Europese standaarden. Daarnaast krijgen leden toegang tot Sci-ESPD, een wetenschappelijke portal met exclusieve webinars en up-to-date educatieve inhoud, evenals de mogelijkheid deel te nemen aan het mentorship-programma, waarin jonge dermatologen begeleid worden door ervaren collega’s uit heel Europa.

Meer informatie is te vinden via www.espd.info

Interview with Dr Ángela Hernández-Martín,
President of the European Society for Paediatric Dermatology (ESPD)

Dr Hernández-Martín, thank you for speaking with us. Could you start by telling us about your background?
“Of course. I work as a paediatric dermatologist at the Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús in Madrid, where I have been for nearly twenty years. My daily practice includes both common and rare paediatric dermatological conditions, but my main areas of interest are disorders of keratinization—now called epidermal differentiation disorders—and neurocutaneous diseases such as tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis.”

What makes paediatric dermatology a distinct specialty?
“Children are not small adults. Their skin diseases, communication needs, and the pnteraction with parents are all different. Unfortunately, Spain does not yet offer a formal fellowship or title for paediatric dermatology, but structured, specialized training would be highly valuable. Paediatric dermatologists are often the first to diagnose inherited or developmental skin diseases, so dedicated training is essential.”

You were recently elected President of the ESPD. What are your priorities for the society?
“My main goal is to strengthen ESPD’s visibility and expand our membership. We have an excellent community of experts, strong scientific meetings, and a dynamic educational program—but many colleagues across Europe still don’t know what we offer. Membership is affordable, and it opens the door to a vibrant network of peers, training opportunities, and exchange programs in pediatric dermatology centers across Europe.”

Could you tell us more about these educational activities?
“We organize monthly Expert Lectures—webinars of 30–45 minutes on focused topics. For example, in November Dr Juliette Mazereeuw-Hautier, a worldwide expert in keratinization disorders from Toulouse, France, will speak about the clinical approach to epidermal differentiation disorders. We are also working closely with the American Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) and other international groups to share knowledge and strengthen our European presence. Furthermore, we have mentorship program where one can follow experts in the field for 3 months and learn from them. I think it is a great opportunity.”

And what can members gain from joining ESPD?
“Beyond education, the society fosters collaboration and networking. If you face a challenging case, you can reach out to colleagues across Europe for advice—something invaluable for both clinicians and patients.”

Finally, where will the next ESPD Congress take place?
“The next Annual ESPD Meeting will be held in Padua, Italy, in 2026, continuing our tradition of combining high-level science with a friendly, collegial atmosphere.”

Correspondentieadres
Antoni Gostyński
E-mail: antoni.gostynski@mumc.nl