A regional meeting in July united stroke leaders from across South America and the entire Angels team for a two-day event dedicated to transforming stroke care. The seventh annual Cimentando Regiones Angels Sudamérica took place in Chile where over 120 healthcare professionals gathered to share experiences and best practices, reinforce key messages, and drive change. Above all, by bringing together the Angels community, this was an opportunity to inspire, empower and motivate new members to commit to stroke care transformation in the region.
The event featured the participation of a prominent panel of specialists and experts in the management of stroke patients from across the region. This stellar line-up included Dr. Sheila Martins, President of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), who shared her testimony, her journey and experiences of working with health authorities. “Dare to act!” was her inspiring message.
Aligned with Dr Martins's message, the event highlighted the importance of building on the leadership of healthcare professionals, collaborating with local authorities in each region to achieve the desired standards of care, and the crucial importance of reaching patients in remote, under-resourced locations.
Dr Carlos Molina, head of the stroke research group and the neurology section at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute in Barcelona, stressed the need for a regional approach and the creation of interdisciplinary networks to ensure that patients reach emergency units as quickly as possible and receive appropriate treatment.
Lic. Deborah Ferreras, regional leader of Angels South America, highlighted the work of the Angels Initiative in developing hospitals to provide adequate care to stroke patients. She proposed the goal of creating comprehensive care networks and engaging all medical, nursing, pre-hospital staff, the community and local authorities to achieve this.
Lic Belén Velazquez, Angels Global Project Lead, presented the new global Angels strategy, which is centred on creating Angels Regions in countries around the world. This strategy involves local authorities, healthcare personnel from hospitals and EMS, and the community in a collaborate network to ensure quality in comprehensive care for stroke patients.
Belén says: “From day one, the energy, passion and commitment of each participant was evident. We not only shared knowledge and experience, but also reinforced our bonds and strengthened our shared vision.
“This event connected countries from all over South America, that have the same challenges, the same realities, and the same desire to achieve quality and excellence in stroke care. The synergy we achieved was impressive. Every idea and proposal was listened to and valued, demonstrating that when we work together, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
“Angels spirit was palpable at every turn. From meetings to social activities, our connection goes beyond the workplace. Together, we are giving the lives of thousands of stroke patients a chance. This necessary and encouraging encounter will help drive our new regional approach.
“We aim to establish stroke networks by developing Angels Regions that have sufficient stroke centers that cover the entire population and are stroke ready, with trained and coordinated emergency medical services and a population educated about stroke symptoms. Most importantly, this will transform the lives of countless stroke patients.”
A highlight of the event was an innovative live simulation of pre- and intra-hospital stroke management and the role of the nursing team. It was led by Dr Agustín Apesteguía, leader of Angels in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Dr Adolfo Savia and Nurse Claudia Figueroa Gajardo, with the outstanding participation of Angels consultants Andrea Torres, Alejandro Rossi and Daiana Michel.
Cementing Regions Angels South America 2024 raised the bar for stroke care in South America and demonstrated the importance of working together to change the history of stroke in this region.
