Urs Fischer

Urs Fischer (Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland) has taken over the presidency of the European Stroke Organisation (ESO), becoming the first Swiss physician to hold this position. Fischer assumed this new role at the recent European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC; 6–8 May 2026, Maastricht, Netherlands).

“I am very grateful for the trust placed in me, and see this as a great opportunity to further strengthen collaboration in Europe and improve care for stroke patients,” Fischer commented.

The ESO is said to be the leading European professional society in the field of stroke. It brings together clinical experts, researchers, and national societies, with its mission being to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of stroke patients across Europe and globally—and to promote evidence-based standards of care.

New ESO president Fischer is director and chief physician for the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Bern’s Inselspital, and full professor of neurology at the University of Bern.

He is internationally recognised for his work in stroke research and clinical care. He has led numerous international multicentre trials aimed at optimising stroke treatment—including the ELAN, SWITCH, DISTAL and SWIFT-DIRECT studies—that have significantly contributed to the evidence base of modern stroke therapies.

Fischer is also engaged in international education and training. He is a co-founder of stroke training programmes in Europe and Asia as well as of the European Stroke Master Program, contributing to global networking and the development of the next generation of neurologists.

In a press release, the Inselspital and University of Bern have congratulated Fischer on this election, stating that it highlights the international leadership and networking capabilities of Bern’s clinical neuro departments and neurosciences, and further strengthens its position as a leading centre for research and healthcare in the long term.

Fischer is joined on the ESO executive committee by president elect Robin Lemmens (Leuven, Belgium), secretary general Guillaume Turc (Paris, France), treasurer Jesse Dawson (Glasgow, UK), and Carlos Molina (Barcelona, Spain), as well as members at large Hanne Christensen (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Pierre Seners (Paris, France). Fischer takes over from ESO past president Simona Sacco (L’Aquila, Italy).