Ryde Hospital’s Sandra Lever has been awarded the Stroke Foundation and Stroke Society of Australasia 2019 Stroke Care Champion Award for her extraordinary dedication and commitment to stroke.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Sandra has dedicated her working life to supporting patients to live well after stroke. This includes recognising stroke recovery extends well beyond learning to walk and talk again. Sandra has a particular interest in patient relationships and intimacy after stroke.

Ms Lever said it was a great honour to receive the award, which was presented by former Governor-General of Australia and Stroke Foundation Patron General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) at a special event at Federal Parliament House as part of Stroke 2019: New frontiers in Stroke Conference.

"I am so fortunate to love the work that I do and being recognised with this award inspires me to continue working towards making a positive difference in stroke rehabilitation care," Ms Lever said.

"I know that this would not have been possible without the support of the many people I work with who are also passionate and enthusiastic about improving the lives of stroke survivors."

In being nominated for the award, Ms Lever was described as someone who is a strong advocate for stroke survivors and dedicated to driving improvements in stroke rehabilitation at a local, state and national level.

A clinician, researcher and teacher, Ms Lever is known for her passion and enthusiasm to empower others to deliver best practice, evidence-based care.