Martin Liptay, Czech Republic
I joined Angels because I was impressed by the impact the project has on peoples’ lives and because I was immediately drawn to the team spirit, passion and dedication of the whole Angels team and the community.
On my first day with Angels I was introduced to all the amazing work my predecessor Robert Havalda had done. I was told that being an Angels consultant is not just a job, it is a mission. I immediately saw that this mindset is shared by the whole team. I believe this is one of the key factors that enabled Angels to become such an impactful global healthcare project.
The thing I am most proud of is being part of the amazing Angels team. Seeing the great work of my colleagues and hearing from healthcare professionals how much Angels have helped them transform stroke care in their hospitals and improve patients’ lives, makes me proud to be part of the family.
It took a lot of courage to get out in the field and start building relationships with experts. The Czech Republic had two amazing Angels consultants before me, so I have big shoes to fill. I need to do my best to be at least as good a partner to the healthcare professionals as the previous consultants were.
The most important thing I have learnt so far is how powerful it is to have a strong team of passionate colleagues with the same goal whose collective knowledge and experience can help you make impact in the field. Not being afraid to ask the team for help or advice is the fastest way to learn.
One skill I have found unexpectedly useful is adaptability. Working with extremely busy experts and stroke teams means that plans often change. Being able to modify my plans on the go allows me to use my time more efficiently.
The opportunity to leave my legacy is further improving stroke care quality through consultancy, and at the regional level promoting effective communication and collaboration between local stroke centres and EMS services.
Bianca-Elena Pînzariu, Romania
I joined Angels because it felt like the natural next step in my career, combining things that I learnt in university and my previous experience with things that I like and hope I am good at, in trying to help the patients.
On my first day with Angels I attended the initial training and was completely amazed by the power this team has to change stroke care, by the incredible people that I work with and the sense of belonging from day one. I really felt I was where I was supposed to be.
The thing I am most proud of is the proficiency and innovative way in which Angels approaches every activity, always honouring its values.
It took a lot of courage to change the way I was used to doing things, learning to be more patient.
The most important thing I have learnt so far is keeping a balance in all aspects: lifestyle, collaborations, activities, interactions. It allows you to see things clearly and take the best decisions.
One skill I have found unexpectedly useful is the ability to recognise and adapt to different communication styles and the power of active listening to people’s needs.
The opportunity to leave my legacy is my dream of working for improvement in the Romanian healthcare system becoming true. It would be my honour to know that in every corner of the country, every patient, every grandma, every mother who suffers from a stroke can quickly receive the best care in the right hospital.
Linda Serra, Italy
I joined Angels because I would really love to contribute to improving patients’ lives. I think that it will be a great satisfaction to see the fruit of our work and the impacts on patients’ quality of life.
On my first day with Angels I attended the training course for new consultants and learnt more about the critical issues that exist in the patient management process. It was an opportunity to understand even better how fundamental our activity is for the community.
The thing I am most proud of is being part of such an enthusiastic and dynamic international team sharing common values. Different realities, a single goal.
It took a lot of courage to radically change my way of working. I now have the chance to travel around my country often and come into contact with very different professional figures and experts.
The most important thing I have learnt so far is to understand the different hospitals’ issues and needs and how I can help them.
One skill I have found unexpectedly useful is multitasking. I think that I will improve this aspect even more working within the Angels project, both actively working with hospitals in the field and organising regional and national events.
The opportunity to leave my legacy is to improve stroke patients’ treatment pathway in my country regions, in order to give patients the best possible quality of life.
