Dedicated Adelaide nurse honoured with top stroke award

Langduo Chen has been recognised for going above and beyond for stroke patients and their families, winning the Stroke Foundation and Stroke Society of Australasia 2021 Stroke Care Champion Award.

The award was announced at the 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia.

Ms Chen works at Southern Adelaide Local Health Network and was the first Nurse Unit Manager of the dedicated stroke ward, Tobruk.

In being nominated for the award, Ms Chen was described as someone who takes the time to make everyone feel valued, and who’s compassionate approach ensured everyone she works with feels understood and supported.

Ms Chen has been working full time while completing a Masters’ degree and starting a PhD. She has also been supporting the development of a Lived Experience Volunteer program, and under her guidance this has grown from one volunteer to six.

A nominating colleague described Ms Chen’s personalised approach as one which consistently gives survivors of stroke “hope, encouragement and understanding”.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan congratulated Ms Chen and thanked her for her dedication and passion.

“Stroke recovery is such an individual journey, and no two people ever have the same experience. That is why the work Ms Chen does to make sure every individual is heard and understood is so important.”

“This award acknowledges Ms Chen as a true Stroke Care Champion and I am so pleased to recognise her efforts in this way. I know Ms Chen has a team around her who share her thinking, and I want to thank them for embracing this personal approach toward the survivors of stroke they support.”

Ms McGowan says the award is timely as Stroke Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary this month.

“These past 25 years has seen us work hard to improve the lives of people impacted by stroke, and we will strive to keep building on that success in the next 25.

We need the stroke champions like Ms Chen to be part of that journey so its perfect timing to celebrate and highlight her work.”

The 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia is being held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and online. It brings together stroke experts from across the country to share the latest innovations in stroke prevention, treatment and recovery.

/Public Release. View in full here.