Miami stroke advocate honored as finalist for national Stroke Hero Award

MIAMI, Fla., March 17, 2025 ­— A Miami area neurologist is in the running for a national honor—the 2025 Stroke Hero Award from the American Stroke Association—and needs community support to win. Dr. Dileep Yavagal is one of just 12 finalists nationwide for the coveted “Voters’ Choice Hero” award, which recognizes individuals making a difference in stroke awareness, prevention or recovery.

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health of all, is honoring individuals and groups in the stroke community from around the U.S. who have shown resilience and outstanding progress with its annual Stroke Hero Awards program. Yavagal was selected from more than 250 nominations nationwide to be a candidate for the “Voters’ Choice Hero” award, chosen from outstanding finalists in the Stroke Hero Award categories.

The public may vote at Stroke.org/HeroVote now through March 18. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2025, during American Stroke Month.

Dr. Dileep Yavagal is a global pioneer in advancing stroke care equity. Through leadership roles at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial hospitals, he champions initiatives that reduce disparities. Dr. Yavagal co-founded the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) and founded the SVIN Mission Thrombectomy program. He led the development of the first global white paper on thrombectomy (a procedure to remove blood clots). He champions access to stroke treatments worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, helping transform the stroke care ecosystem. His dedication to minimizing disparities and ensuring inclusivity is helping to close the gap in treating diverse populations.

Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke(1), according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. Those who have had a stroke often must overcome physical, emotional and cognitive changes to move forward. Doing so requires strength and support.

“Stroke remains the leading cause of disability and death in the community, disproportionately affecting certain groups who are often undertreated,” said Dr. Yavagal.  “Raising awareness about stroke prevention, recognizing symptoms, and calling 911 for emergency treatment is critical, as studies show that knowledge of stroke systems and the need for urgent care is still low.”

For more information, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook and X.
 

For Media Inquiries:

Melissa Solis, Melissa.Solis@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org