ESO Spirit of Excellence awards
The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award 2025 were announced during a live event at ESOC 2025. Scroll down to meet the winners and nominees who were recognized for their commitment to stroke care excellence and for their outstanding contributions to raising the standard of treatment in their hospitals and communities.
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS AND NOMINEES 2025
Dr. Kristaps Jurjáns
Dr Jurjāns is head of the stroke unit at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital in Riga, Latvia. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he has ensured that the highest quality of care is consistently delivered to stroke patients. He is a quality monitoring advocate and a committed teacher to the next generation of Latvian neurologists.
Dr. Francisco Purroy
Dr Purroy is head of neurology at the Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, and Stroke Coordinator for the Spanish province of Lleida – an Angels Region thanks to his dedication and hands-on involvement. By generously sharing his vast experience and expertise, he ensures that every hospital improves its stroke management and patient outcomes.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Budinčević
Assist. Prof. Hrvoje Budincevic is a specialist in intensive care and cerebrovascular diseases in Croatia. He is deputy head of neurology and head of the Stroke and Intensive Care Unit at Sveti Duh University Hospital in Zagreb. His expertise, commitment to innovation, and leadership benefit stroke care development across the country.
Prof. Vítor Tedim Cruz
Prof. Cruz is head of the Neurology Dept and Stroke Unit at Matosinhos Local Health Unit, and President of the Portuguese Stroke Society. An advocate for patient empowerment, he is also a tireless innovator, compassionate leader and unifying force, whose ability to bring together diverse healthcare teams under a shared vision of excellence is inspiring.
Prof. Hariklia Proios
Prof. Proios is associate professor of Neurocognitive Disorders & Rehabilitation at the Dept of Educational & Social Policy of the University of Macedonia in Greece. She lead development of the FAST Heroes campaign and co-founded the Grand Heroes Foundation. She has been the president of the Stroke Alliance For Europe (SAFE) since 2020.
Dr. Nune Yeghiazaryan
Dr Yeghiazaryan is head of neurology and the stroke centre at Erebouni Medical Center in Yerevan, Armenia, and President of Armenia Stroke Council. She is member of European Academy of Neurology, the ESO and the WSO, and a regional representative and steering committee member of ESO-EAST. She has worked in the field of stroke in Armenia since 2010.
Dr. Yerzhan Adilbekov
Dr Adilbekov is Chairman of the Board of the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan. Under his leadership as National Coordinator of the stroke service in Kazakhstan, the number of thrombolytic therapies and neurosurgical operations has doubled, and the number of stroke centers in the country has grown from 36 to 83.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svatopluk Ostrý
Dr Ostrý is chief neurologist of the leading comprehensive stroke center in the Czech Republic – Hospital České Budějovice in the South Bohemian region. He is also a regional leader who is very committed to driving regional improvement, a dedicated teacher and mentor, and a 2024 recipient of the FAST Heroes Adult Advocate Award.
Prof. Piotr Sobolewski
Prof. Sobolewski is head of neurology at Specialist Hospital in Sandomierz. A pioneer of multidisciplinary collaboration and regional approach even before the Angels Regions strategy was established, he is a strong advocate for collaboration between emergency services and neurologists, and an invaluable supporter of Angels activities in Poland.
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners and Nominees 2024
The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award 2024 were announced during a live event at ESOC 2024. Meet the winners and nominees recognized for their commitment to stroke care excellence and for their outstanding contributions to raising the standard of treatment in their hospitals and communities. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners and Nominees 2023
The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award 2023 were announced during a live event at ESOC 2023. Meet the winners and nominees recognized for their commitment to stroke care excellence and for their outstanding contributions to raising the standard of treatment in their hospitals and communities. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners and Nominees 2022
The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award 2022 were announced during a live event at ESOC 2022. Meet the winners and nominees recognized for their commitment to stroke care excellence and for their outstanding contributions to raising the standard of treatment in their hospitals and communities. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners and Nominees 2021
The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award 2021 were announced during a live event at ESOC 2021. Watch the video or scroll down to meet the winners and nominees recognized for their commitment to stroke care excellence and for their outstanding contributions to raising the standard of treatment in their hospitals and communities. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners and Nominees 2020
In 2020, 20 healthcare professionals from all over Europe were nominated for the Spirit of Excellence Award. Among the nominees there were many outstanding neurologists of course, but there was also a paramedic and two exceptional nurses. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners 2019
Among the exceptional people whom we honoured in 2019 was a patient and his wife who had served as our inspiration and reminded us of what we were fighting for. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners 2018
The 2018 winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award demonstrated how our project had grown: These heroes without capes came from Slovakia, Romania, Italy, Spain and Ukraine. Read more
Spirit of Excellence Award Winners 2017
The Spirit of Excellence Award was launched in 2017 to honour members of the Angels community for exceptional contributions to stroke care. Read More
Honours wall
The Angels Initiative is proud to honour the winners of the ESO and WSO Angels Awards, the EMS Angels Awards and the Spirit of Excellence Awards.
Hospital Unimed Ribeirão Preto_Q1 2025
Hospital São Luis Campinas, Brasil, Q1 2025
Santa Casa de Rio Claro
São Joaquim Hospital e Maternidade Unimed Franca - Brasil
KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital Diamond Status for Q1 2025
SAMU Três Colinas - Ituverava - SP - Brasil
Santa Casa de Misericórdia Matão - Hospital Carlos Fernando Malzoni - SP -Brasil
Hospital Alzira Velano - MG - Brasil, Angels WSO Platnium Award, Q3 2024
Hospital São Francisco de Paula, Pelotas - RS, Brasil, Angels WSO Diamond Award, Q4 2024
Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia Rio Claro -NSL, Brasil, Angels WSO Gold Award, Q3 2024
GOLD ANGELS WSO AWARD Q3 2024 - AN BINH HOSPITAL - VIET NAM
SÃO JOAQUIM HOSPITAL E MATERNIDADE UNIMED FRANCA-SP, Brasil, ANGELS WSO GOLD AWARD Q3 2024
Hospital Municipal Rocha Faria, Angels WSO Gold Award, Q2 2024
Hospital Quinta Do'r, Angels WSO Diamond Award, Q2 2024
GOLD WSO ANGELS AWARD Q3 2024 - BINH DUONG GENERAL HOSPITAL - VIET NAM
GOLD EMS ANGELS AWARD Q3 2024 - EMS 115 HO CHI MINH - VIET NAM
GOLD WSO ANGELS AWARD Q3 2024 - HOAN MY SAI GON - VIET NAM
SAMU Sumaré - SP
Platinum WSO Angels Award - Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Bach Mai SC 14 Diamonds
Netcare The Bay - WSO Angels Gold Award - Q2 2024
Hospital Lagomaggiore. Mendoza Argentina
Santa Casa Sertãozinho - SP
IPSS Medical Rescue KZN Secures Platinum EMS Angels Award
LIFE WESTVILLE HOSPITAL - FIRST LIFE HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL IN KZN TO GET DIAMOND STATUS
LIFE ENTABENI RECEIVES WSO GOLD AWARD Q2-2024
SANATORIO ANCHORENA RECOLETA. BUENOS AIRES
SAGRADA FAMILIA BUENOS AIRES
Santa Casa de Franca
Hospital Vera Cruz - SP - Brasil
Santa Casa de São Carlos - SP - Brasil
Santa Casa de Ituverava - Brasil
HOSPITAL MUNICIPAL HENRIQUE SERGIO GREGORI
HOSPITAL MUNICIPAL HENRIQUE SERGIO GREGORI
HOSPITAL MUNICIPAL HENRIQUE SERGIO GREGORI
Hospital das Clínicas Samuel Libanio - Brasil
Unidade de Emergência do Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto - Brasil
Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Jaboticabal Hospital e Maternidade Santa Isabel - Brasil
Hospital Municipal Ermelino Matarazzo- Brasil
Hospital Municipal Ermelino Matarazzo- Brasil
Hospital São Luiz Morumbi- Brazil
Hospital Quinta Do'r
Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Brasil
Netcare Umhlanga Hospital - WSO Angels Gold Award - Q1 2024
Hospital Santa Rosa, Brazil
Santa Casa de Mogi Guaçu - Brasil
Netcare St Annes Hospital - KZN
Hospital São José - Criciúma - SC - Brasil
Hospital Getúlio Vargas - Piauí - Brasil
LONG KHANH REGIONAL GENERAL HOSPITAL
Thu Duc Regional General Hospital
Dong Nai General Hospital_Diamond WSO Angels Award Q4 2023
Ospedale dei Castelli
NETCARE 911 KZN attains Platinum EMS Angels Award
Hospital São Vicente de Paulo - SP - Brasil
Hospital São Paulo - UNIMED Araraquara - Brasil
Hospital e Maternidade Santa Lucia - MG - Brasil
Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Center achieves WSO Angels Diamond award
First EMS In South Africa To Attain EMS Angels Gold Award - Netcare 911 - KZN
Netcare St Augustines Attains WSO Gold Award
Max Super Specialty Hospital Patparganj, Delhi, India
Santa Casa de Ituverava - Brasil
Hospital UNIMED Ribeirão Preto - Brasil
Hospital Universitário Alzira Velano - Brasil
Hospital Geral Cleriston Andrade - Status Diamond Q2/2023
Santa Casa Piracicaba - SP - Brasil
Hospital e Maternidade Santa Lucia - MG - Brasil
Santa Casa de São Carlos - SP - Brasil
Santa Casa de Franca - Brasil
Hospital São Paulo - UNIMED Araraquara - Brasil
2022 WSO Spirit of Excellence Award, Dr. EunHwan Jeong, Pohang Stroke and Spine Hospital; South Korea
Santa Casa de São Carlos - SP - Brasil
Hospital UNIMED São Carlos - Brasil
Hospital UNIMED Ribeirão Preto - Brasil
Shalby Hospital Mohali, Punjab, India - Continuous Quality Monitoring Save lives
Yashoda Hospital Ghaziabad India - Neuro Critical Care Team
Bach Mai Hospital
Bach Mai Hospital
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE
ESO-Angels Award
MALAYSIA - HOSPITAL SEBERANG JAYA, PULAU PINANG
Bethesda Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. WSO Angels Gold Award
WSO Angels Gold Award . Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Angels Award
2021 WSO Angels Awards Ceremony in South Korea
WSO Angels Award Diamond Center for the third consecutive quarter at Pohang Stroke & Spine Hospital
Angels awards-Q4 Global Stroke Alliance
Angels awards- Winner from Brazil- Hospital de Base de Bauru
Angels awards- Winner from Brazil- Hospital do Sertão Central- CEARÁ
Angels awards- Winner from Brazil- Hospital Metropolitano Dr Célio de Castro- MG
WSO ANGELS DIAMOND AWARD STATUS. NBC HOSPITAL , JAKARTA , INDONESIA.
Diamond Award - HOSPITAL GENERAL DE AGUDOS I. PIROVANO -CABA- ARGENTINA
Diamond Award -CLÍNICA SAGRADA FAMILIA -CABA- ARGENTINA
Diamond Award -HOSPITAL JM RAMOS MEJÍA -CABA- ARGENTINA
Diamond Award- SANATORIO ANCHORENA -CABA- ARGENTINA
Stroke Unit Neurologia AO Brotzu Cagliari
NATIONAL BRAIN CENTER HOSPITAL , JAKARTA , INDONESIA
University Medical Center - HCMC
Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá
University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece
F. Spaziani Hospital in Frosinone
Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova Firenze
Past Head of Czech Stroke Society, Dr. Ondřej Škoda, from Hospital Jihlava
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo Ospedale Piemonte, Messina
AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, Salerno
Oleksandrivska Kyiv City Clinical Hospital - Ukraine
Cluj Napoca Emergency Hospital - Romania
Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda - Bulgaria
UMHAT St. Anna Sofia - Bulgaria
Riga's East Clinical University Hospital Gailezers - Latvia
Vall Hebron Hospital - Spain
Tondela Viseu Hospital - Portugal
Na Homolce Hospital - Czech Republic
Všeobecná nemocnica s poliklinikou Levoča - Slovakia
King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al Khobar - Saudi Arabia
Ospedale Civile S.Agostino-Estense di Modena - Italy
Clinical Regional Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszow - Poland
Specialist Hospital in Pila (Neurology) - Poland
MHAT Targovishte - Bulgaria
Regional Hospital of Liberec - Czech Republic
Mukachevo District Central Hospital, Ukraine
Spirit of Excellence Award – prof. Sergiy Moskovko, Ukraine
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD, MADEIRA
TARTU UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - ESTONIA
CLINICAL HOSPITAL OF EMERGENCY ORADEA - ROMANIA
ÚSTŘEDNÍ VOJENSKÁ NEMOCNICE - CZECH REPUBLIC
SEMMELWEIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - HUNGARY
