Author: Elena Costru-Tașnic
My journey in stroke medicine began already during my medical studies, when I chose to focus on this field for my undergraduate thesis, a path I followed throughout my neurology residency and doctoral research. Over time, my interest grew into a strong professional commitment to improving stroke care, especially in resource-limited settings.
I first heard about the Master of Advanced Studies in Stroke Medicine (MAS) in 2017, during a summer school for young neurologists. A year earlier, I had participated in the ESO Stroke Summer School in Madrid (2016), where I discovered the real value of ESO-endorsed events: strong theoretical content, practical relevance, and connections with key experts in the field. Since then, joining the MAS has been a clearly defined goal for me.
I regularly followed ESO’s scientific and educational initiatives, and when I saw the call for applications for the 2024–2026 MAS edition, I felt it was the right time for this important step in my educational path. The application process was rigorous, and the moment I received the news that I had been selected, not only as a participant but also as a bursary recipient, was unforgettable. It was an extraordinary moment not only for me and my family, but also for the hospital where I work. It felt like a breath of fresh air for my career development.
The start of the MAS coincided with an important milestone in my country: a national stroke care reform launched in January 2024. This alignment has been extremely beneficial. During the onsite weeks in Bern and other visits to European stroke centres, I had the chance to observe not only high-level clinical practice, but also organisational and systemic aspects of stroke management. These insights helped us initiate concrete improvements in our own hospital’s stroke pathways. In this way, the programme is not only enriching my personal and professional development, it is directly contributing to better stroke services in Moldova. For countries still in the process of building robust stroke systems, this kind of experience is invaluable. It provides the tools, knowledge, and inspiration
needed to adopt best practices and reshape care in a meaningful way.
The 2024–2026 MAS edition brings together 37 participants from 27 countries around the world, creating a truly rich environment for sharing knowledge and clinical experience. Every session, discussion, and assignment becomes an opportunity to learn from different healthcare systems, perspectives, and realities, and apply it thereafter in our daily clinical practice.
Being part of the MAS programme is one of the most meaningful steps in my professional journey. I feel honoured and grateful for the opportunity, especially for the bursary support, without which I wouldn’t have been able to take part in this extraordinary programme. I sincerely thank the
European Stroke Organisation and the organising team in Bern for their commitment to advancing global stroke care.
I warmly encourage all colleagues interested in stroke medicine to take on this challenge, apply for the programme, and enjoy the benefits of such a well-designed and excellently organised educational experience
Learn more and apply now for the European Stroke Master Programme.
ESOC is Europe’s leading forum for advances in research and clinical care of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. ESOC 2026 will live up to its expectation, and present to you a packed, high quality scientific programme including major clinical trials, state-of-the-art seminars, educational workshops, scientific communications of the latest research, and debates about current controversies. Learn more.
