The HMRI Award for Research Excellence, supported by the Sparke Helmore / NBN Television Triathlon, recognises the Hunter’s leading researcher. This year’s recipient is stroke researcher Associate Professor Chris Levi from Hunter New England Health.

The HMRI Award for Research Excellence, supported by the Sparke Helmore / NBN Television Triathlon, recognises the Hunter’s leading researcher.

This year’s recipient is stroke researcherAssociate Professor Chris Levi from Hunter New England Health.

Associate Professor Chris Levi has made significant contributions to the global research effort to improve the health of people who suffer a stroke.

Chris completed medical training at the UNSW and further studies in neurology in Scotland andMelbourne before returning to Newcastle to establish the clinical Acute Stroke Unit at John HunterHospital and the HMRI Stroke Research Group. Today, this group is regarded as the leading clinical and academic stroke research centre in Australia.

Associate Professor Levi leads a talented team of clinical and medical researchers who are tackling stroke from many perspectives.

“Their new model of pre-hospital stroke care has demonstrated how to overcome the time barrier to delivering effective stroke treatment in both metropolitan and now, rural regions. This has lifted stroke treatment rates in the Hunter to above international best practice,” said HMRI Director Professor Maree Gleeson.

“Importantly, it has made world class stroke treatment available to our community, saving many lives and reducing the devastating impacts of a stroke on the person and their families.”

In addition to his role as Director of Acute Stroke Services at John Hunter Hospital, he leads theUniversity of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, the HMRI Brain and Mental Health Research Program and the HMRI Clinical Trials Unit.