Prestigious award for Hunter Neurologist

The Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) has presented a Hunter New England Health neurologist with a prestigious award recognising his contribution to neuroscience research.

Dr Mark Parsons, a Staff Specialist in Neurology at John Hunter Hospital and a member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Stroke Research Group, was presented with the Leonard Cox Award at the ANZAN annual scientific meeting in Brisbane last Friday.

The award recognises an individual who has completed a significant body of research in the first ten years of their career since becoming a specialist in neurology. 

John Hunter Hospital Director of Acute Stroke Services and head of the HMRI Stroke Research Group, Associate Professor Chris Levi said Dr Parsons is regarded as one of Australia’s leading clinical stroke researchers and our leading early career researcher in the brain imaging field.

“Dr Parsons’ brain imaging research is being adopted in clinical practice to improve the selection of patients for acute stroke therapies involving clot dissolving treatments,” Associate Professor Levi said.
“When administered immediately after a stroke, these treatments can reduce a stroke patient’s level of disability and lead to a quicker recovery.
“Dr Parson’s research interests also include clinical trials evaluating new clot dissolving drugs in the treatment of acute stroke and investigation of how the brain re-organises and recovers after stroke.”
Associate Professor Levi said the recognition of Dr Parsons’ work by ANZAN is a significant achievement.

“Research plays an important role in maintaining high standards of clinical neurology practice and improving outcomes for patients,” Associate Professor Levi said.

“Dr Parsons is still in the early stages of his research career and already his research is recognised at a local, national and international level.

“I am delighted that Dr Parsons’ contribution to the field of neurology has been formally recognised by ANZAN through the presentation of the Leonard Cox Award.”

Dr Parsons is a Staff Specialist in Neurology at Hunter New England Health, Director of the Acute Stroke Unit at the Calvary Mater Newcastle and a Conjoint Senior Lecturer of the University of Newcastle. His research is conducted in collaboration with HMRI’s Brain and Mental Health Research Program. Dr Parsons is the 2008 HMRI Early Career Researcher of the Year.

HMRI is a partnership between Hunter New England Health, the University of Newcastle and the community.

Contact: Gemma Smith

Phone: 4921 4501