Dr. Dileep Yavagal, Chief of Interventional Neurology and Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been honored for his transformative work in expanding access to mechanical thrombectomy for stroke care globally.
Dr. Yavagal was awarded honorary membership by the Indian Academy of Neurology at its annual meeting in Visakhapatnam, India, in October 2024. A month later, he was presented with the Neurointerventional Pioneering Award at the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) annual meeting in San Diego.
The SVIN recognition celebrated Dr. Yavagal’s pivotal contributions as the founder and chair emeritus of Mission Thrombectomy, a global initiative dedicated to improving access to life-saving stroke treatments. In her announcement, SVIN President Dr. Thanh Nguyen praised his leadership in advancing advocacy, collaboration, education, and communications within the field.
The Indian Academy of Neurology’s honor resonated deeply with Dr. Yavagal, who credited his training in the U.S. and mentorship under Dr. Ralph Sacco for enabling him to give back to his home country, India. He described the dual accolades as a humbling acknowledgment of his work with Mission Thrombectomy.
Mission Thrombectomy focuses on increasing access to emergency thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure proven to enhance stroke recovery outcomes. Dr. Yavagal emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts at the Miller School and the initiative’s role in addressing healthcare disparities. Today, Mission Thrombectomy has expanded its reach to over 90 countries, bringing crucial stroke care solutions to underserved communities worldwide.
