The Association of Future African Neurosurgeons (AFAN) is an international non-governmental and non-profit organization, consisting of students, early-career physicians, neurosurgical residents, neurosurgeons, neuro-anaesthetists, neurologists, neuroanatomists and neuro-pathologists from all over the world, particularly from Africa. AFAN is an interest group that provides mentorship, education, advocacy, and research in neurosurgery and related fields.
Motivation- The lack of an African organisation geared towards mentoring aspiring neurosurgeons motivated the creation of AFAN. AFAN aims to empower medical students and general practitioners so they can fulfil their dreams.
Vision- AFAN wishes to become the largest community of aspiring African neurosurgeons and to capacitate all its members with the necessary skills and resources to become successful African neurosurgeons.
Mission- To foster networking, mentorship, education, and capacity building among aspiring African neurosurgeons. We wish to level the playing field for all aspiring African neurosurgeons by sharing information and opportunities.
AFAN was founded on March 17, 2019, by a group of 4 Aspiring African Neurosurgeons. AFAN initially hosted weekly Neuroanatomy webinars on the Zoom account of Neurosurgical TV and the videos were then uploaded to Neurosurgical TV’s YouTube channel. AFAN equally created a WhatsApp group and a Facebook page to expand its network and membership.
AFAN’s first executive team was as follows:
President: Dr Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye
Secretary: Dr Nathalie Ghomsi
Director of Operations and Communications: Mr Yvan Zolo
Director of Research: Dr Stéphane Nguembu
AFAN’s second executive team was as follows:
President - Yvan Zolo
Vice-President - Lorraine Sebopelo
Secretary General - Endalle Geneviève
Head of Research - Dr. Stéphane Nguembu
Head of Communications - David Ulrich Dalle
Creative Design - Chidiebere Ibe
Head of Operations - Dawin Sichimba
When I look at the human brain I'm still in awe of it.
Dr Benjamin Carson
Emeritus Professor"AFAN seeks to increase awareness and interest in the neurosciences among African health students and young practitioners. The Association has done this through four pillars: research, education, networking, and entrepreneurship. In this regards, we conceive AFAN as an incubator for the neurosciences in Africa."
Dr Ulrick K. Sydney
AFAN Board Chairman & Founding PresidentDr Dawin Sichimba quotes
Dr Dawin Sichimba
Former AFAN PresidentDr Ulrick Sidney quotes
Dr Ulrick Sidney
Chairperson, AFAN Board of TrusteesDr Ulrick Sidney quotes
Dr Ulrick Sydney
Chairperson, AFAN Board of Trustees