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Successful networks understand that leadership is not about individuals; it is about stewardship. The strongest organizations plan for change before change becomes necessary. As ERN-LUNG approaches its second decade, we are doing exactly that.
In October 2027, with the start of the next funding period, Professor Marc Humbert, Paris, will assume the role of Coordinator of ERN-LUNG. At the same time, I will step into the role of Past Coordinator, while Professor Cormac McCarthy, Dublin, will become Coordinator-Elect. Together, this leadership structure is designed to ensure continuity, preserve institutional memory, and provide a clear pathway for the network's future development.
This transition comes at a time when ERN-LUNG is itself evolving. Over the coming years, the majority of coordination activities will gradually move from Frankfurt to Paris. Frankfurt will remain an important contributor to the network, but with a more focused role. At the same time, we are establishing a third coordination hub in Dublin, creating a leadership and management structure that better reflects the truly European nature of our network.
These changes are not administrative details. They are strategic decisions intended to strengthen ERN-LUNG for the long term. By distributing responsibilities across Paris, Frankfurt, and Dublin, we are building greater resilience, expanding capacity, and ensuring that expertise is shared rather than concentrated in a single location.
The mission of ERN-LUNG remains unchanged: improving the lives of people living with rare respiratory diseases through collaboration, innovation, and excellence in care. But sustaining that mission requires constant renewal. Networks that endure are those willing to adapt while remaining faithful to their purpose.
The transition planned for 2027 reflects that principle. It is not a change in direction, but an investment in continuity. By preparing today for the leadership of tomorrow, ERN-LUNG is positioning itself to remain a strong and trusted European partner for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in the years ahead.
TOF Wagner, Coordinator of ERN-LUNG
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