United Nations Economic and Social Council Grants Special Consultative Status Upon SVIN

Washington, D.C., August 31, 2023 — The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) and its Mission Thrombectomy Committee (SVIN_MT) proudly announce a momentous achievement. On August 8, 2023, the esteemed United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) granted SVIN the prestigious special consultative status.

SVIN is thrilled to herald a new chapter in its journey, what it means for its members and affiliations, to advance global conversations and patient access to thrombectomy. It positions SVIN at the forefront of organizations collaborating with ECOSOC, opening doors to impactful interactions with subsidiary bodies, including the Human Rights Council. Moreover, this status facilitates participation in select General Assembly meetings and other intergovernmental gatherings, fostering collaborative exchanges with the United Nations Secretariat.

This status underscores SVIN's dedication to making a tangible difference on a global scale, opening the doors to impactful dialogues, critical collaborations, and valuable partnerships that align with SVIN's mission to advance vascular and interventional neurology for the betterment of global healthcare.

"This status affirms the tireless work of the core executive committee members of Mission Thrombectomy, Co-chair Dr. Victor Urrutia, and the Dr. Jennifer Potter-Vig" shared Dr. Fawaz Al-Mufti, co-chair of the Global Subcommittee of Mission Thrombectomy and member of the SVIN Board of Directors. “Mission Thrombectomy is a peer network of stroke and neurointerventionalist volunteer committees in more than 100 countries, collaborating to reshape stroke care, making a future where mechanical thrombectomy is accessible to everyone worldwide. The UN ECOSOC Consultative Status significantly amplifies SVIN’s Mission Thrombectomy programs."

ESOCOC consultative status further solidifies SVIN’s commitment to global engagement and meaningful contribution to elevating patient care by granting SVIN formalized access to participate, comment, present, and consult within initiatives and commissions of both ECOSOC and the United Nations.

"Obtaining this unique consultative status from ECOSOC is a remarkable achievement for SVIN and the Mission Thrombectomy initiative," noted Dr. Ameer E. Hassan, president of SVIN. "This acknowledgment reinforces our unwavering dedication to advancing neurological care and fostering collaboration. It will empower us to cultivate stronger relationships, amplify our impact, and continue our steadfast commitment to improving patient well-being."

A key aspiration of SVIN has been to provide a platform that connects leaders in vascular and interventional neurology worldwide. This collaborative environment facilitates meaningful dialogues, promoting the exchange of ideas, best practices and strong advocacy for policy change to advance acute stroke care. It is within this backdrop that SVIN also endeavors to establish common ground for formulating practice and safety standards, ensuring the highest quality of stroke care for patients globally. This is evidenced by the rapid advancement of SVIN’s global initiative, Mission Thrombectomy, whose global committee participation continues to work to accelerate access to mechanical thrombectomy and improve stroke care worldwide.

"We are honored to have this recognition from the UN. Millions of people worldwide do not have access to mechanical thrombectomy, life-saving and disability-reversing emergency surgery for stroke patients. With this status, we can help advance the global health community to work together to make mechanical thrombectomy available to every stroke patient who needs it,” commented SVIN past president and chair of the Mission Thrombectomy Committee, Dr. Dileep R. Yavagal.

As SVIN continues its dedication to improving neurological health, this new chapter marked by special consultative status with the UN promises to catalyze broader influence and foster deeper connections on the global stage.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Catherine Gahres, Executive Director, SVIN

cgahres@svin.org

About The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN)

SVIN was created to achieve the highest level of care for patients through increased collaboration in scientific research and by educating young professionals and training young investigators. The Society aims to provide opportunities to connect leaders in the field and provide a common ground for dialogue and creation of practice and safety standards. Our mission is to represent the advancement of interventional neurology as a field with the ultimate goal of improving clinical care and outcomes of patients with stroke and cerebrovascular diseases.

About Mission Thrombectomy

SVIN’s Mission Thrombectomy: Global Access for Stroke Treatment initiative is changing stroke systems of care by ensuring access to a mechanical thrombectomy as an option for treatment throughout the world. Mission Thrombectomy is driving this innovation forward by bringing professionals and the public together to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, ensuring that all people are empowered to take action immediately and seek treatment at the closest capable facility, and engage others to advocate for access and treatment across the globe. Through advocacy, they are accelerating global access to life-saving and disability-reversing treatment.

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