Get a leg up on HEADS-UP
ISC attendees can deepen their understanding of inequities in stroke and discover how to get involved.
Returning to this year’s Pre-Conference Symposium line-up is HEADS-UP: Health Equity and Actionable Disparities in Stroke. The Tuesday program provides attendees with an opportunity to learn from researchers who represent diverse scientific and professional disciplines and take part in productive career development activities.
8:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. | Tuesday, Feb. 3
HEADS-UP Program Chair Janet A. Prvu Bettger, ScD, FAHA, said the symposium will feature presentations on how to design stroke systems of care that succeed amid adversity and how to employ innovative approaches to examining equitable stroke health.
Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, MsC, MAS, MBA, MLS, FAHA, has been selected as the 2026 Edgar J. Kenton III Award recipient and will deliver a lecture, “Stroke Disparities Research Workforce: Wherefore Art Thou.”
"Dr. Ovbiagele will be honored for his extraordinary and far-reaching contributions in championing research, mentorship and health care in stroke inequities — work that has paved the way for meaningful change in the field globally,” said Prvu Bettger, who is professor and vice chair for research at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
An expert panel will lead an engaging discussion on strategies in health disparities research, and a selection of early career scholars will present important findings in a dedicated poster session. Attendees can also participate in career development sessions, including, “Think Tank on Works in Progress” and “Building Momentum.”
“Our hope is that attendees leave the symposium with actionable insights and a sense of community from an expanded network of colleagues and potential collaborates,” said Prvu Bettger.
The overarching goal of HEADS-UP is to reduce race-ethnic disparities in cerebrovascular disease and accelerate the application of research to improve outcomes. Michelle Nichols, PhD, RN, associate professor at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, is vice chair of the HEADS-UP planning committee.
