EUROSPINE President Ahmet Alanay is a spine surgeon treating both adult and paediatric spinal disorders. He established the Comprehensive Spine Center at Acibadem Maslak Hospital in 2013. Since then, he is the medical director of the center and is also a faculty member at Acibadem University School of Medicine. Each year, with his team, he treats over 2500 outpatients.
SSN: What drove you to choose surgery as a career, and spinal surgery in particular?
AA: My fascination with the complexities of the human spine and the fact that it is an area where many things are gray or unknown—making it incredibly attractive for my research-oriented mind—drove me towards spinal surgery. The profound impact that spinal disorders can have on a person’s quality of life further motivated me. I wanted to be part of a field where I could make a tangible difference, not just in patient care but also through research and innovation. Helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and ultimately improve their quality of life has been incredibly fulfilling. The challenge of treating both adult and paediatric spinal disorders has made this journey particularly rewarding.
SSN: It is clear that the healthcare industry is still being impacted since the pandemic. What has been the greatest impact for you within the spinal care and industry?
AA: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted spinal care in several ways. One of the greatest changes has been the shift toward telemedicine and remote patient management. While this has allowed us to maintain continuity of care, especially during lockdowns, it also presented challenges in assessing complex degenerative spinal conditions without in-person evaluations. Additionally, the pandemic has accelerated the need for less invasive procedures, as patients have been more hesitant to undergo surgeries that require extended hospital stays. We’ve had to adapt quickly, incorporating new technologies and approaches to ensure that our patients continue to receive the highest standard of care despite these challenges. This period has also highlighted the importance of multi-interdisciplinary collaboration and flexibility in our treatment strategies, which I believe will continue to shape the future of spinal care.
SSN: As current president of EUROSPINE, what have been your highlights and achievements working alongside the Spine Society of Europe?
AA: Three years ago, when I joined the presidential line as president-elect, we were in the post-COVID period. It was a challenging time marked by financial setbacks, weakened connections with our members, and the continuation of many post-COVID issues. Of course, the most important asset for any society is the interest, participation, and loyalty of its members. However, over the past three years, with smart strategies, we have become one of the fastest-recovering scientific societies.
One of my key focuses has been deepening member loyalty and engagement. To achieve this, we’ve made significant strides in diversity and inclusivity through initiatives like nurturing the next generation of EUROSPINE professionals and honouring our heritage. We established task forces within the community and leadership council, leading to important progress in these areas. The spine professional development pathway we are working on will make a significant contribution to training the future leaders in spine care.
We have taken significant steps to further develop our relationships with international spine societies, and one of these steps is the collaboration agreement we signed with The Japanese Society of Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR). An important aspect of this agreement is the fellow exchange program, which I believe is particularly valuable for our young members. In 2025, we will be sending two young members to Japan for a two-week fellowship.
One of EUROSPINE’s most valuable assets is our Annual Meeting. Since its inception 25 years ago, the Annual Meetings have always been one of the most prestigious and well-attended spine conferences in the world. Despite the post-COVID era, the radical and bold changes we implemented in the meeting format over the past three years have paid off. Especially in the last two years, we have seen participant numbers return to pre-COVID levels. Each year, the scientific quality improves, and this year, I am expecting over 3,500 participants. From the number of abstracts submitted and early registrations, I can already tell this year will be exceptional. With an outstanding agenda, excellent scientific content, and a world-class faculty, I invite