Do you know the next Stroke Care Champion
The search has started for the 2018 Stroke Care Champion – the equivalent of Olympic gold in the field of stroke.
The Stroke Care Champion award recognises the inspirational unsung heroes making life better for Australia’s stroke community.
Stroke Society of Australasia President Helen Dewey said nominations were now open.
“The stark reality is, there is one stroke every nine minutes in Australia. Stroke changes lives in an instant and can have a devastating flow on effect to families,” Professor Dewey said.
“We want to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible health professionals and researchers who work tirelessly to make a difference, whether that be in stroke prevention, treatment, care or advocacy.
“These people and their work is so crucial in our vision for a country free from disability and suffering caused by stroke.
“It is our way of saying thank you,” she said.
The Stroke Care Champion Award is supported by the Stroke Society of Australasia in conjunction with the Stroke Foundation. It is open to health professionals and researchers who have demonstrated a long term commitment to stroke, of at least five years.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan encouraged people to nominate stroke care champions in their community who continue to go above and beyond to ease the nation’s stroke burden.
“While the stroke challenge is far from a race, it does take expertise, passion and dedication from remarkable individuals to improve the lives of survivors, families and carers and ultimately, bring us closer to beating this insidious disease,” Ms McGowan said.
“The Stroke Care Champion Award is one of the ways people can advocate for better systems, processes and resources to help health professionals deliver best practice care and draw attention to the vital work researchers are doing in the field of stroke.
Nominations close on Monday 23 July, 2018. The winner will be announced at Stroke 2018: Bridging the Continuum in Sydney in August and will be provided with support for professional development.