Anne Leonard, R.N., B.S.N., M.P.H., a stroke clinical research nurse at the Health Science Center, was the first individual to ever receive the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
National Stroke Volunteer of the Year Award. She was acknowledged Nov. 14 at the association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Dallas.
As the winner of the award, Leonard presented a 30-minute lecture entitled, “Integrating Clinical Research and Education into the Comprehensive care of the Stroke Patient: Another Way of Providing Care.”
Leonard has been an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association volunteer for almost 15 years. She began her volunteerism first as a member of the Stroke Council. Since then, she has been a part of American Heart Association/American Stroke Association stroke advisory committees, stroke councils and stroke task forces. Leonard has also served as a board member to the San Antonio Division, as well as liaison to the Texas Affiliate Board.
“I volunteer because that it is a way of advocating for stroke patients,” Leonard said. “Stroke is a disease process that has received little attention nationally. This inattention has been primarily because the medical community has not been able to find the perfect treatment to treat patients acutely for stroke. Research funding has lagged behind that of other of the major causes of mortality in the U.S., even though stroke is the number three killer of Americans.”
Leonard is the co-chair of the association’s Council on Cardiovascular Nursing Stroke Committee and a member of the Statewide Stroke Task Force, whose initiatives include the promotion of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations certification of Primary Stroke Centers, and stroke education in the state of Texas.
“Our efforts must continue to look for medical treatments that will lessen the neurological deficits caused by stroke. This is accomplished by clinical research for stroke patients,” Leonard said. “Our efforts must also be directed toward better patient care for those in the hospital with stroke so that optimal recovery after stroke is afforded to our patients.”
Leonard’s passion, love of her work and dedication to patients has resonated locally, statewide and nationally. In August 2005, Leonard was the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Texas Affiliate Outstanding Advocate Award for her generosity of time and expertise to advance the association’s legislative agenda in Texas.
The annual Scientific Sessions attracts approximately 30,000 people and encompasses four days of invited lectures and investigative reports. Simultaneous presentations represent all fields of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and related disciplines. Scientific Sessions offers a unique opportunity for medical professionals to gather with colleagues from around the world who have a broad range of expertise. The scope and quality of scientific exchange have made Scientific Sessions the premier cardiovascular research meeting in the world.
