From Central Office
ISBT Milan through the lens of a Young Professional
By Cvetanka Kochovska
At the ISBT Congress in Milan 2025, two standout events brought a sense of community, fun and professional connection to participants beyond the scientific sessions.
The Young Professionals Breakfast, thoughtfully organized by Maria Roussakis, created a vibrant and inclusive environment for early-career attendees to connect with peers and senior experts in the field of transfusion medicine. Held in an informal breakfast setting, the event encouraged open dialogue, mentoring opportunities, and an exchange of ideas. Participants had the chance to discuss career development, research interests, and the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field, all while enjoying a relaxed morning atmosphere. The event was especially valuable for those attending their first ISBT congress, offering a supportive space to make new connections and feel part of the global transfusion community from the start.
The Congress atmosphere shifted to a playful session during the Trivia and Games Lunch, organized by Cvetanka Kochovska and Abiy Belay. This lively lunchtime session brought together attendees for an engaging mix of trivia questions and team-based games, designed to spark friendly competition and build new relationships across all levels of experience. Covering a range of topics from general transfusion knowledge to immunohematology cases, the event allowed participants to showcase both their scientific smarts and sense of humor. The room was filled with laughter, conversation, and applause as teams worked together, cheered each other on, and celebrated their shared passion for the field in a lighthearted and interactive format.
