The search has started for the 2021 national Stroke Care Champion – an award which celebrates exceptional dedication to the field of stroke.
Nominations are open to health professionals and researchers who have worked tirelessly to make life better for Australia's stroke community.
Stroke Society of Australasia President Professor Bernard Yan said the Stroke Care Champion award was a wonderful way to recognise the incredible individuals across the country who are making a difference in stroke prevention, treatment or care on a daily basis without fanfare.
"Stroke is one of Australia's greatest health challenges. It can strike at any age and change lives in an instant," Professor Yan said.
"There will be more than 27,400 first time strokes in Australia this year alone – that's one every 19 minutes.
"Behind these numbers are real people. There are also countless health professionals doing all they can to help survivors of stroke and their families live well. We want to shine a spotlight on those efforts."
The Stroke Care Champion Award is supported by the Stroke Society of Australasia in conjunction with the Stroke Foundation. Nominees will need to have demonstrated a long-term commitment to stroke of at least five years.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan encouraged people to nominate their peers or colleagues who work relentlessly to ease the nation's stroke burden and inspire everyone around them to follow suit.
"Their expertise, commitment and leadership are instrumental in improving outcomes for people with stroke now and well into the future," Ms McGowan said.
Past nominees and winners for the Stroke Care Champion Award have included neurologists, stroke nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists and researchers.
Nominations close on Monday July 12, 2021. The winner will be announced at the 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia in Perth in October. The winner will be provided with support for professional development.
Nominate for the 2021 Stroke Care Champion award.
