Department to Department Visit Programme

The ESO Department to Department Visit Programme is a grant of EUR 1,500 offered to up to 10 young physicians and researchers to support a short visit of a week or as a contribution to a longer visit to an European department or laboratory.

The programme aims to provide insight into stroke departments outside the applicant’s home country.

The application period is now closed for 2022 grants.

The short visit may play an important role in the career of young physicians and researchers by establishing contact with people and departments who may provide future research and job opportunities. Awardees are expected to send a report after completion of their visit to be posted on the ESO blog and newsletter, and to acknowledge ESO in scientific work that results from the stay.

2022 Department to Department Visit Programme Grant Awardees

Awardee
Alexander Nave (Germany)
Federica Letteri (Italy)
Khachik Petrosyan (Armenia)
Kunduz Karbozova (Kyrgyzstan)
Mariam Kekenadze (Georgia)
Martina Goeldlin (Switzerland)
Meri Grigoryan (Armenia)
Peter Waweru (Kenya)
Stoiloudis Panagiotis (Greece)
Trung Nguyen (Vietnam)

Host Institution
University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Lille, France
Klinik für Neurologie, Linz, Austria
Perugia University Hospital, Italy
University College London Queen Square, England
University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
Coimbra University Hospital, Portugal
Saint Josef Hospital, Bochum, Germany
Saarland University Hospital, Germany

Who Should Apply?

Physicians or researchers up to 40 years of age – with an interest in the field of stroke. Applicants must be ESO members (Junior membership application is available here).

The grant can only be received once.

The host institution has to be located in a European country.

In the selection process, we have a special emphasis on applicants from European low-middle and upper-middle income countries (as defined by the World Bank), interested in improving the stroke pathways and care in their institutions and six grants per year are reserved for this purpose.

How to Apply

The application period is now closed for 2022 visits.
Interested applicants are requested to complete and submit the following documents all together:

ESO Application form
Invitation letter from Head of the Department / Institution where you want to visit (host institution)
Letter of recommendation from the supervisor or Head at your department
Letter of motivation (1/2 page)
English CV (1-2 page)
List of publications
Copy of identity card/passport

If you require assistance to establish contact with an institution, please contact Dr. Diana Aguiar de Sousa from the “ESO Young Stroke Physicians and Researchers committee” by e-mail to dianasousa@campus.ul.pt Applications must be submitted to the ESO Secretariat by e-mail to esoinfo@eso-stroke.org by 28 February 2022. For any questions, please write to esoinfo@eso-stroke.org

Department to Department Visit Reports

Alexander Nave

Charité-Universitätsmedizin | Berlin, Germany

“I joined Prof. Luft at the Stroke Center of the Universitätsspital Zurich, where we saw patients during daily rounds on the stroke unit and intermediate care unit. We had in-depth discussions on the suspected rehabilitation potential of patients with post-stroke delirium or prolonged impaired level of consciousness. How can we predict functional recovery in these patients early after stroke? How can we accurately assess the benefit of continued and intensified rehabilitation for patients with stroke? How long should patients receive in-patient stroke rehabilitation? And is there a way to prove that intensified stroke rehabilitation can improve pure neurological recovery after stroke? Based on these questions, we talked about ways to collaborate in new pilot trials and the necessity to start multicenter stroke rehabilitation trials. Together with members of his lab, I was able to experience important aspects of preforming regular assessments during stroke aftercare.”

Read Report

Annemijn Algra

University Medical Center | Utrecht, Netherlands

“Of course, the Department-to-Department visit would not have been complete without a day at the emergency room (ER). I was impressed by the large, well-organized structure of the new ER at the Oslo University Hospital and how quickly and systematically the stroke codes are assessed. Dr Advani, one of the stroke consultants, had already explained to me why he thinks it is so important to practice the stroke calls with the (new) residents. Not only because ‘time is brain’, but also to train the decision-making process and to make decisions together … The team’s work on stroke simulation training and the enthusiastic way he brought this into practice is definitely something I am bringing home with me to Utrecht.”

Read Report

Apoorva Shankaranarayana

Manipal College of Health Professions | Manipal, India

“One of the main reasons I selected to visit this department was due to the research work that they have been conducting, which is similar to my current work as a part of my PhD. I had the opportunity to learn and discuss with experts about the Early Supported Discharge which was one of my research interests.

Along with the professional aspect of this visit, I have had some personal learnings too. This visit has opened my mind in many ways possible. This was my first solo trip/visit. Visiting a foreign land and talking to people that I previously did not know has made me more confident, given me courage, and a sight of independence. It has helped me in networking and imparted better communication skills.”

Read Report

Awardees and Reports

2022 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2022 awardees and their hosts:

Alexander Nave (Germany)
Host Institution: University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland / 20-27 June 2022 Read report

Federica Letteri (Italy)
Host Institution: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland / 12 September – 9 October 2022

Khachik Petrosyan (Armenia)
Host Institution: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Lille, France / 5-19 September 2022

Kunduz Karbozova (Kyrgyzstan)
Host Institution: Klinik für Neurologie, Linz, Austria / 12-20 September 2022

Mariam Kekenadze (Georgia)
Host Institution: Perugia University Hospital, Italy / December 2022

Martina Goeldlin (Switzerland)
Host Institution: University College London Queen Square, England / November 2022

Meri Grigoryan (Armenia)
Host Institution: University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland / 16 July – 1 August 2022 Read Report

Peter Waweru (Kenya)
Host Institution: Coimbra University Hospital, Portugal / TBC in 2023

Stoiloudis Panagiotis (Greece)
Host Institution: Saint Josef Hospital, Bochum, Germany / 19-26 September 2022

Trung Nguyen (Vietnam)
Host Institution: Saarland University Hospital, Germany / 5-16 September 2022

2021 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2021 awardees and their hosts:

Annemijn Algra (The Netherlands)
Host Institution: Oslo University Hospital, Norway / 30 May – 3 June 2022 Read Report

Nada Elsaid (Egypt)
Host Institution: University Hospital of Modena, Italy / 25 June-10 July 2022

Maria Fonseca de Melo Bandeira (Belgium)
Host Institution: CHU Lille, France / 4 October 2021 – 2 October 2022 Read Report

Mihail Kalnev (Bulgaria)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Switzerland / 1 – 31 October 2021 Read Report

Ivan Koltsov (Russia)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Switzerland / early 2023

Máté Kondor (Hungary)
Host Institution: Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg, Germany / 9 August – 3 September 2021 Read Report

Raffaele Ornello (Italy)
Host Institution: University of Edinburgh, Scotland / date TBC

Papadopoulos Vassilis (Greece)
Host Institution: Bispebjerg Hospital Copenhagen, Denmark / 14 June – 13 October 2021 Read Report

Apoorva Shankaranarayana (India)
Host Institution: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom / 23 – 28 May 2022 Read Report

Emanuele Spina (Italy)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Switzerland / 18 October – 5 November 2021 Read Report

2020 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2020 Department to Department Visit Programme Awardees. We wish a fruitful, cooperative visit to all involved.

Awardee: Tatia Aprasidze (Georgia)
Host Institution: University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland / 1 – 14 July 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Antonio Ciacciarelli (Italy)
Host Institution: Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Spain / 7-22 February 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Gleni Halili (Albania)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 23 -29 August 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Mihai Radu Ionescu (Romania)
Host Institution: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Limoge, France / 29 June – 17 July 2020 Read Report

Awardee: Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen (Norway)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 19-25 September 2022

Awardee: Lusine Martirosyan (Armenia)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 14-24 December 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Kateriine Orav (Estonia)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 26 – 30 July 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Marieta Valerieva Peycheva (Bulgaria)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 1 – 10 September 2020 Read Report

Awardee: Aurora Semerano (Italy)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 28 June – 9 July 2021 Read Report

Awardee: Dmitar Vlahović (Serbia)
Host Institution: Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway / 17-28 October 2022

2019 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2019 Department to Department Visit Programme Awardees. We wish a fruitful, cooperative visit to all involved.

Awardee: Angelo Cascio Rizzo (Italy)
Host Institution: Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany / 9 – 15 September 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Silvia Chirobocea (Romania)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 5 – 14 August 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Mercedes de Lera Alfonso (Spain)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 1 – 8 September 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Sofiya Khachaturyan (Armenia)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 2 – 6 December 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Inna Lutsenko (Kyrgyzstan)
Host Institution: San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Department of Neuroscience, Rome, Italy / 27 May – 4 June 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Masiliūnas Rytis (Lithuana)
Host Institution: Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden / 25 March – 5 April 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Sabina Medukhanova (Kazakhstan)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland / 11 – 15 November 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Răzvan Alexandru Radu (Romania)
Host Institution: University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain / 10 – 23 June 2019 Read Report

Awardee: Valentina Rinnoci (Italy)
Host Institution: Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway / 27 January – 4 February 2020 Read Report

Awardee: Floris H.B.M. Schreuder (The Netherlands)
Host Institution: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom / 5 – 12 September 2019 Read Report

2018 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2018 awardees:

Natalia Andrzejewska (Poland)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland Read Report

Mariana Morais Carvalho Dias (Portugal)
Host Institution: Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain Read Report

Csilla Forro (Romania)
Host Institution: National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Budapest, Hungary Read Report

Julie Haesebaert (France)
Host Institution: Kings’s College, School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences, London, United Kingdom Read Report

Manea Maria Mirabela (Romania)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland Read Report

Giuseppe Reale (Italy)
Host Institution: Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Read Report

Pasquale Scoppettuolo (Belgium)
Host Institution: Hôpital Roger Salengro, Lille, France Read Report

Susanna Zuurbier (The Netherlands)
Host Institution: Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland Read Report

2017 Awardees

ESO is pleased to announce the 2017 awardees:

Rahim Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
Host Institution: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany Read Report

Kateryna Antonenko (Ukraine)
Host Institution: University Hospital of Perugia, Stroke Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Perugia, Italy Read Report

Anne-Katrin Giese (German/Harvard)
Host Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Univeristy, Munich, Germany Read Report

Dearbhla Kelly (Dublin/Ireland)
Host Institution: University Hospital Lariboisiere, Paris, France Read Report

Patrick Nicholson (Dublin/Ireland)
Host Institution: Inselspital Bern, Neurology Department, Bern, Switzerland Read Report

Alessio Pieroni (Rome/Italy)
Host Institution: Queen Elizabeth University, Stroke Unit, Hospital in Glasgow, United Kingdom