SOS, Brain! Cerebrovascular Pathology in Questions and Answers
On January 29, 2026, an Olympiad for residents of the Department of Nervous Diseases was held in the university’s academic building, dedicated to one of the most pressing problems of modern medicine — cerebrovascular pathology. The educational event, held under the vivid and memorable title “SOS, Brain! Cerebrovascular Pathology in Questions and Answers,” brought together first- and second-year residents.
The aim of the Olympiad was to enhance the level of theoretical knowledge and clinical thinking of young specialists, as well as to develop skills in diagnosis, emergency care, and management of patients with acute and chronic disorders of cerebral circulation.
The competition featured a team of first-year residents, “Dominant Hemisphere,” consisting of Yana Yezhova, Ekaterina Samsonova, Daulet Kurmanov, Gulmira Tusuppayeva, and Elnur Tasbolatov. The second-year residents were represented by the team “Time Is Brain,” whose members were Aigerim Duisenbay, Marzhan Oksikbay, Madina Askerbekova, Bekzhan Gabivulla, Bakhyt Mukhambetova, and Aidana Bekbatyr.
The opening of the Olympiad began with welcoming remarks by the Head of the Department, Saule Tleubergenovna Turuspekova, Professor Erkyn Smagulovich Nurguzhaev, and Bekmurat Nametovich Raimkulov. In their speeches, they emphasized the relevance of cerebrovascular pathology, the importance of continuous professional development of young specialists, and the role of such educational events in shaping residents’ clinical thinking.
The program of the event included test tasks, clinical cases, and interactive questions covering key aspects of cerebrovascular pathology, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, transient ischemic attacks, and modern approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebrovascular diseases.
The Olympiad was conducted in a dynamic and competitive format that encouraged active participation and the exchange of professional experience. The participants demonstrated a high level of knowledge, clinical reasoning, and strong motivation for further professional development. As part of the Olympiad, engaging “brainstorming” tasks on the history of the department were prepared, creative approaches to team self-presentations were showcased, and logical tasks were offered in the section “Neurology in Pictures.” The residents demonstrated a high level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in diagnosing and managing patients with cerebrovascular pathology.
The participants’ performance was evaluated by a strict jury composed of the department’s faculty members: Bekmurat N. Raimkulov, Elmira B. Atantayeva, and Svetlana G. Safina. Based on the results of the Olympiad, the winners and prize recipients were determined. The “Dominant Hemisphere” team won first place, while the “Time Is Brain” team took second place with a minimal difference in points. All teams were awarded diplomas and commemorative prizes.
Feedback from the residents following the Olympiad indicated a high level of positive emotions and professional engagement, as well as increased interest in their chosen profession and deeper learning in the field of cerebrovascular pathology.
Holding such events contributes to the development of clinical thinking among young physicians, improves the quality of medical care, and draws attention to cerebrovascular diseases as one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide.
