WSO Spirit of Excellence awards

Consultant neurologist, Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
Senior consultant neurologist & stroke program director at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) at SGH, Dr de Silva has led advancements in hyperacute stroke services and research in Asia. Under her leadership, SGH received Singapore’s first WSO Angels Award. She is Academic Vice Chair at SingHealth Duke-NUS, and Secretary of the World Stroke Organization. 

Consultant neurologist, Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Upm, Malaysia
Consultant neurologist and Chairman of the Malaysia Stroke Council, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hoo Fan Kee established the first Malaysia Stroke Conference and the Malaysia Stroke Academy. His transformative efforts to strengthen stroke care in Malaysia include developing national stroke guidelines, expanding the number of stroke-ready hospitals, and public awareness education.

Neurologist, Suratthani Hospital, Thailand
Dr. Kanokkawinwong is a driving force behind stroke care transformation in Southern Thailand. By helping hospitals develop effective stroke care systems, playing a pioneering role in introducing Mobile Stroke Units to reach patients in remote areas, and initiating the use of air transportation for stroke, he has made a impact on the lives of countless patients.

Director of Medical Research Institute, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, South Korea 
Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital, where Dr Park is RES-Q Managing Director, holds 15 consecutive diamond awards. Since completing the Digital Stroke Leaders Program in 2024, Dr Park is active in campaigns to increase stroke awareness globally, including an innovative collaboration with FC Pohang Steelers that received the World Stroke Campaign Award. 

Head of Stroke Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia
Chair of the South Australian Stroke Community of Practice, and President of the Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation, Prof. Kleinig is committed to expanding optimised stroke treatments to all populations. His clinical research interests range from stroke epidemiology to acute stroke imaging and treatments for intracerebral haemorrhage and ischaemic stroke. 

Immediate past president, Stroke Society of the Philippines
Thanks to Dr. Sarfati’s visionary leadership and enduring commitment to stroke systems development, the Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP) embodies the Spirit of Excellence. During her tenure as SSP president, she spearheaded the creation of the Stroke Nurse Master’s Program, a transformative initiative designed to elevate the role of nurses in acute stroke care.

Director of Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam
Assoc. Prof. Mai Duy Ton is President of the Hanoi Stroke Association, Head of the Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Director of the Stroke Center at Bach Mai. He is co-author of the National Stroke Treatment Guidelines and actively supports the development of the national stroke network in Vietnam.

Neurologist, National Brain Center Hospital (NBC), Indonesia
As Head of the Neurovascular and Neurocritical Care Units at the NBC, Dr Sari has led efforts to implement advanced stroke protocols and mentor multidisciplinary teams in a high-volume, high-acuity setting. A dedicated member of the National Stroke Care Transformation Program under the Ministry of Health, she plays a pivotal role in shaping stroke care policy and practice.