Participation in the International School VASCERN Summer School 2025

Diana Haliash, a medical intern specializing in Pediatrics, represented I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University at the international VASCERN Summer School, which took place from September 15 to 20, 2025, in Paris, France, and is implemented with the support of the ERASMUS+ Blended Intensive Program.

Participants and experts of VASCERN Summer School 2025

The VASCERN Summer School brought together young doctors of various specialties, scientists, researchers, experts, and representatives of patient organizations to deepen their knowledge of rare multisystemic vascular diseases and to prepare future experts in this field.
The VASCERN School consists of two parts:

• Online module – a 15-week online program offering flexible learning.
• On-site module – a one-week intensive program held from September 15 to 20 at Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris.

This combined approach enabled participants to enhance their knowledge in this area by taking part in:

• interactive lectures delivered by specialists in rare vascular diseases;
• studying highly specialized learning materials;
• applying an interdisciplinary approach;
• discussing clinical cases;
• group work and discussions with colleagues and experts.

During the on-site module of VASCERN Summer School 2025 in Paris, I had the opportunity to learn from leading European experts, including Prof. Guillaume Jondeau, Prof. Laura Muiño Mosquera, Prof. Dominique Hervé, Prof. Laurence Boon, Prof. Miikka Viikkula, Prof. Sarah Thomis, Dr. Anna Sabaté-Rotés, Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Stéphanie Guey, Dr. Nicola Rifino, and Dr. Gido Gravesteijn.

Diana Haliash (medical intern, TNMU), Prof. Guillaume Jondeau, and Gloria Somalo Barranco.

Thanks to the multidisciplinary approach, throughout the week we studied the following pathologies:

Vascular anomalies such as capillary malformations, venous malformations, and severe/rare infantile hemangiomas

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Marfan Syndrome

Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome

Neurovascular diseases, including CADASIL and Moyamoya angiopathy

Primary Lymphedema

Every day we participated in interactive lectures, discussions, and clinical case sessions led by specialists in rare vascular diseases. The intensive program also included communication with representatives of patient organizations as well as with patients themselves or their parents. This experience was invaluable for me, as I had never had such an opportunity in my own clinical practice before.

Medical interns Diana Haliash (TNMU) and Nataliia Ipatii (MEU) – participants from Ukraine.

The final day of the on-site module was devoted to psychology and communication with patients suffering from rare diseases. Participants had the opportunity to improve their communication skills by working in small groups. I was able to play the role of a patient who, according to the scenario, is being informed about having a rare disease. It was an emotionally challenging experience for me, as I am used to being on the other side and seeing the situation from the doctor’s perspective.

I highly recommend applying to participate in such schools — the new selection process is currently underway, regardless of your specialty. Rare vascular diseases are often masked as other conditions, and programs like this help physicians recognize and manage them effectively.

I sincerely thank Ms. Gloria Somalo Barranco, coordinator of the VASCERN Summer School project, and Professor Tetiana Kovalchuk for their support, inspiration, and invaluable assistance in organizing my participation in this international event.