The International Journal of Stroke has incredible author and reviewer support from stroke experts around the world. Over the years I've interviewed, met with, emailed, conversed and conferenced with so many amazing people who's career path and study interest are so interesting these wonderful stories must be shared! So we have started a new blog series entitled Seven Minutes in Stroke'.
Our first 'Seven Minutes in Stroke' series kicks off with the inspiring Valeria Caso, President elect of the European Stroke Organisation.
Seven minutes in stroke
Our first 'Seven Minutes in Stroke' series kicks off with the inspiring Valeria Caso, President elect of the European Stroke Organisation.
Seven minutes in stroke
1. What
inspired you towards neuroscience?
My interest
for neuroscience was sparked by a conference on Childhood Neuropsychiatry that I attended during my last year of high
school; listening to the speaker, showing the developmental phases of the brain
and its pathologies, I knew that this was my calling.
2. Why
stroke?
During my
2nd year of Neurological specialization
my Director sent me to Germany, my home
country, to learn how to set up what would be the future Perugia Stroke Unit.
During those 6 months, my passion for stroke care began.
3. What
have been the highs so far?
Well, the
Perugia Stroke Unit was established in 1998, so over the last 17 years the
satisfying moments have been many. We adopted the stroke pathways that resulted
in one of the lowest mortality rates in Italy. We have seen great advances in
treatment which have saved, undoubtedly, hundreds of lives, as well as reducing significantly disability.
4. What
have been the lows?
Still,
people have not gotten the message that
when they have symptoms of stroke they need to get to the hospital. In fact,
because of this we see unnecessary victims of stroke.
5. How do you
balance work life with the needs of home life?
I am very
lucky because my family members are very supportive, especially my well-chosen
husband.
6. Who are
your most important mentors and how did you find them?
The first and most important is my friend and
colleague Maurizio Paciaroni who was the first person I met at Clinica
Neurologica. Over the last twenty years, we have been working side by side building
up the Stroke Unit and carrying out research. Our dedication has produced many
accomplishments in the field of stroke. The remaining three mentors have been Didier Leys, Werner Hacke and Michael Brainin who have provided me with
professional opportunities that were important steps in my career. I am
grateful for their genuine support and their trust.
7. What are
your most important collaborations and how have you built them?
Currently,
my most important collaborations include
those with healthcare professionals
interested in nurturing the field of Women’s Medicine. This is because, we share the understanding that there are inherent differences between the sexes regarding
responses to treatment, time of disease and outcome. Building these collaborations has been
possible through mutual integrity and passion for the patients.
