Leading the Way in Stroke Care: An Interview with Blanca Fuentes, Chair of the Council of Fellows

Blanca Fuentes, Head of the Stroke Unit at La Paz University Hospital Stroke Center and Senior Lecturer in Neurology at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, is a prominent figure in the field of stroke care. As Chair of the Council of Fellows (FESO), she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of stroke research and education in Europe.
In this interview, she shares insights into the vital work of the Council of Fellows, their role in supporting the European Stroke Organisation’s mission, and the opportunities FESO membership offers for collaboration and contribution to the stroke community.

• What made you decide to send in your application to become the next ESO Council of Fellows Chairs?

I have been FESO for more than 10 years. In all this time I have always considered it a privilege to be able to contribute to this scientific society by participating in various committees and committing myself to various activities developed by ESO to promote the knowledge of stroke and improve its diagnosis and management in Europe. But the truth is that I had never considered running for election to the Chair of the ESO Council of Fellows and it was thanks to the nomination by other members that I considered it, and then I said why not? This is one of the characteristics of ESO, the possibility that ESO members can propose others for positions within society.

• What role do you believe the Fellows should play in the future of ESO and how can a FESO support the mission of ESO and its initiatives?

The primary role of the ESO Council of Fellows is to provide advice to the Executive Committee in its decision-making processes. Additionally, Fellows of the ESO (FESOs) have the opportunity to participate in various ESO committees and activities, and to serve as ambassadors for the ESO in their respective countries. Given that FESOs are chosen based on their significant scientific contributions to the field of stroke, their involvement in the ESO Council of Fellows enhances the value of our society.

• What challenges do you expect in the coming years in the field of stroke?

In my opinion, the primary challenges in the field of stroke care are ensuring equitable access to stroke units, developing effective treatments to promote brain repair and functional recovery, and implementing successful prevention campaigns to reduce the incidence and mortality of stroke. In recent years, significant advances have improved the early treatment of ischemic stroke; however, similar progress has not been seen in stroke prevention and functional recovery. We should invest more research efforts in these areas.

• What initiatives is the Council of Fellows working on and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?

In addition to providing guidance to the ESO Executive Committee, when necessary, the ESO Council of Fellows has launched an initiative called “Paper of the Month.” This programme aims to highlight interesting and relevant papers published by ESO members or those with significant relevance to Europe. All ESO members are encouraged to nominate a paper by sending it directly to esoinfo@eso-stroke.org. The learn more about the most recent selections and full information on how to propose a “Paper of the Month”.

• Is there a particular moment or experience in your career that you found especially rewarding or transformative?

Yes, it is related to the ESO. Some time ago I had the opportunity to join the ESO Guidelines Committee, where I learned how rigorous the development of the ESO guidelines is in providing high-quality, evidence-based recommendations for stroke management. Participating in such committees broadens your perspective and boosts your confidence in your own clinical practice

• What do you wish for ESO in the future?

In my opinion, the ESO is a strong and transparent scientific society. I hope that the ESO continues to provide scientific guidance for stroke management across Europe. Additionally, it is essential for the ESO to advocate for and influence health and research policies in Europe to improve equity in stroke management in all European countries. Initiatives such as the Stroke Action Plan for Europe or the ESO Trials Alliance serve as clear examples of this effort.

• What do you enjoy most about the work you do, and is there something specific that keeps you motivated day-to-day?

I enjoy combining clinical practice with research in the field of stroke. Being in daily contact with stroke patients helps me identify their needs and inspires me to seek innovative solutions. In recent years, I have also had the opportunity to participate in “citizen science” initiatives, which involve stroke survivors in the early stages of stroke research. These initiatives allow them to contribute to the design and development of clinical studies. I have learned a great deal from stroke survivors, particularly about the importance of collaboration in clinical research. Indeed, we share the same objectives: to reduce the burden of stroke and improve patients’ recovery and quality of life.

Learn more about becoming a FESO Member

Short biography:
Blanca Fuentes is the Head of the Stroke Unit at the La Paz University Hospital Stroke Center and a Senior Lecturer in Neurology at the School of Medicine at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. She is actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving stroke care. Her PhD thesis focused on analysing the effectiveness of acute stroke units. At the regional level, Dr. Fuentes has played a key role in establishing innovative organizational models for stroke care in the Madrid Health Region, such as Telestroke and TIA Clinics. Since 2014, she has been a member of the advisory board for the Madrid Health Government, contributing to the development and implementation of the Madrid Stroke Plan. Additionally, since 2019, she has served on the advisory board for the Madrid Pediatric Stroke Code.
Dr. Fuentes has participated in developing guidelines for stroke management for the ESO, focusing on areas such as glycemia management and Moyamoya disease. Currently, she is involved in the development of the ESO guidelines on primary stroke prevention guidelines. She has been highly engaged with the ESO activities: fellow of the ESO since November 2016; co-Director of the ESO Summer School 2016 (Madrid); past member of the ESO Membership Committee (2016-2017), the ESO Trials Network Committee (2016-2020) and of the ESO Guidelines Board (2019-2023) and Chair of the Educational Committee for the development of the teaching courses /workshops program at the ESO Conferences 2018 and 2019; Member of the Board of Directors since 2020 and Chair of the ESO Council of Fellows since may, 2024.
Furthermore, she is actively pursuing a research career in the field of stroke, serving as the principal investigator on several research projects funded by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Recently, she was awarded the Stroke Scientific Award 2023 by the Spanish Society of Neurology.