Community stories

Spain’s “bonus Angel” leads an award-winning stroke unit and devotes himself to improving stroke care in the autonomous region of Andalusia. This self-effacing stroke champion is only the second nurse in Europe to be recognised with an ESO Spirit of Excellence Award, an honour that thust him into the spotlight during ESOC 2024 in Basel.

Paramedics don’t only save lives but also contribute to the overall well- being of the community, writes Jan van der Merwe in this year's EMS-themed edition of The Angels Journey, in which we pay tribute to the unsung heroes of healthcare.

The award-winning change agent and stroke centre certification advocate Dr Apostolos Safouris believes in stories and their power to grow communities and spread scientific knowledge. He explains how reading about the history of humanity provides context for his work.

The story of Hospital Antonio Cardarelli shows that for stroke improvement to come about through generational change, each generation must have its pioneers.

A team of neurologists from Lithuania’s rival cities are pooling their strengths to help transform stroke care in countries throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Prof Vaidas Matijosaitis, who along with his colleagues received a Spirit of Excellence Award at ESOC 2024, explains what basketball has to do with it.

Angels consultant Deepti Sawhney took a leap into the unknown when she agreed to work in Chhattisgarh. She had never travelled; parts of the state were dangerous, and each hospital presented a separate challenge. She shares her story.