Stroke nurse claims international award

Sydney Stroke Nurse Practitioner Kylie Tastula has been recognised for providing an exceptional level of care to patients with stroke and their families, winning the Stroke Foundation and Stroke Society of Australasia 2022 Stroke Care Champion Award at the 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia.

It was the second nomination for Ms Tastula, who works in the stroke unit in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She has also worked with the NSW Stroke Recovery Association, the Agency for Clinical Innovation, and Sydney Local Health District.

In being nominated for the award, Ms Tastula was described as showing dedication to stroke services, and being a genuinely caring, thoughtful, supportive, and knowledgeable person with patients, carers, and fellow clinicians alike.

Ms Tastula’s achievements include developing a state-wide Endovascular Clot Retrieval (ECR) and Virtual Reality (VR) module for hyperacute stroke, a peer mentorship program across 23 rural sites in New South Wales, as well as being the lead nurse for the inaugural NSW Stroke Ambulance Model of Care development.

Stroke Society of Australasia President Professor Timothy Kleinig said stroke is a leading cause of disability in both Australia and New Zealand.

“Ensuring those impacted by stroke have access to excellence in stroke care is a goal that unites both nations. It is estimated more than 27,400 people in Australia will have a stroke for the first time in 2021. While in New Zealand over 9,500 strokes are experienced a year, one every 55 minutes,” Professor Kleinig said.

“That’s why it’s so important that we have these dedicated people, just like Ms Tastula, working on the frontline and giving so much to stroke survivors and their families.”

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan congratulated Ms Tastula on her achievement, thanking her for her years of dedication.

“We know no two stroke journeys are the same, and that’s why the work of Ms Tastula is so vital in ensuring that the needs of every survivor and their family are heard and they are supported to make their best recovery possible,” Ms McGowan said.

“Ms Tastula’s peers were full of praise in nominating her for this award, so there is no doubt that she is a true Stroke Care Champion. I am so thrilled that we can recognise her years of dedicated work in the field of stroke.”

Ms Tastula received the prestigious accolade at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch where she participated in a panel discussion about thrombolysis.

The 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia brought together stroke experts from across the world to showcase the latest innovations in stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.

The SSA Conference began on Wednesday and wrapped up today. For further information about Stroke Foundation Australia, follow the link. To find out more about Stroke Foundation New Zealand, visit the website.