2018 INDUCTEE Vladimir Hachinski, MD Brain & Mind, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

August 13, 1941

(Zhytomyr, Ukraine)

Education:

MD, University of Toronto (1966)

Awards & Honours:

2024: Ryman Prize

2022: The Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases

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Awards & Honours:

2024: Ryman Prize

2022: The Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases

2021: The World Federation of Neurology Medal for “Services to World Neurology”

2020: The 41st T.S. Srinivasan Oration and gold medal and scroll

2020: Distinguished Inaugural Lecture at the foundation of the African Stroke Organization

2020: The American Academy of Neurology Wartenberg Lecture & Award

2020: F. N. G. Starr Award, Canadian Medical Association

2018: Killam Prize Winner for Health Sciences

2017: Prince Mahidol Award in the field of Public Health

2016: The McLaughlin Medal of the Royal Society of Canada for “research of sustained excellence in medical science”

2015: Scientist Career Award, Lawson Health Research Institute

2014: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

2014: Karolinska Stroke Award for Excellence in Stroke Research

2013: Order of Ontario

2013: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

2013: Chancellor's Award Lecture in Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Louisiana

2012: Doctor honoris causa from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences

2011: International BIAL Merit Award in Medical Sciences

2010: Ontario Premier's Discovery Award in life sciences and medicine

2010: Biomedical Science Ambassador Award, Partners In Research

2010: International Bial Merit Award in Medical Sciences

2010: Leadership in Stroke Medicine Award, World Stroke Organization

2008: Honorary Member, Mexican Academy of Neurology

2008: Mihara International Award

2008: World Stroke Organization Leadership in Stroke Medicine Award

2008: Premier's Discovery Award in the Life Sciences and Medicine

2008: Member of the Order of Canada

2007: Doctor of Medicine (honoris causa), University of Cordoba, Argentina

2006: Distinguished University Professor, Western University

2005: Doctor honoris casua from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

2005: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Science

2005: The Willis Lecture Award, American Stroke Association

2000: Doctor honoris casua from the University of Salamanca, Spain

2000: Mihara Award in research on cerebrovascular disorders

1990: Ontario Trillium Clinical Scientist Award

1989: Featured in Canadian Who’s Who

At least half of all strokes are now preventable thanks to scientists like Dr. Vladimir Hachinski

A pioneer in cerebrovascular research and a champion for stroke awareness

At least half of all strokes are preventable, yet only one in four people knows a single risk factor for stroke. Dr. Hachinksi co-authored a book with his daughter Larissa Hachinski educating people to recognize the warning signs of stroke and to seek immediate help to reduce the risk of long-term damage.

In addition, some of our most important advances in understanding cerebrovascular diseases and their treatment are discoveries of Dr. Hachinski and his colleagues, including identification of a link between Alzheimer’s and stroke with David Cechetto and Shawn Whitehead, along with a host of new concepts captured in his new terminology: multi-infarct dementia, leukoaraiosis, vascular cognitive impairment, and brain at risk stage.

Key Facts

Coined the term “brain attack” for stroke and stroke warning to emphasize urgency in dealing with stroke symptoms

Authored, co-authored, or co-edited 17 books and more than 700 frequently-cited scientific publications

Helped to develop the World Stroke Organization and the declaration of World Stroke day

The eponymic Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS) is now a standard means for identifying the treatable components of dementia

He has written poetry in Spanish and orchestrated a musical composition, Dream Waltz, with Jason Standford

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Hachinski has transformed the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the two greatest threats to the brain: stroke and dementia. For generations to come, the promise of longer life may also be a promise of better life thanks to his ground-breaking discoveries.

2025

July 2018
Treatable and Potentially Preventable Dementias

Edited by Dr. Hachinski
April 12, 2018
Vladimir Hachinski inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

London, Ontario
2011
Dr. Hachinski became the Inaugural chair of the World Brain Alliance
Brain & Mind
2010
After 53 years, the World Federation of Neurology chose Dr. Hachinski to become its first Canadian president
Leadership in Organizational Development
2008-2012
Vice President of the World Stroke Organization
Leadership in Organizational Development
2006-2010
Vice President (North America) of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN)
Leadership in Organizational Development
2006
Dr. Hachinski became Distinguished University Professor of Neurology at the University of Western, Ontario
Health and Medical Education & Training
He was the first member of the Faculty of Medicine to be so honoured.
2004-2006
Led working group to develop World Stroke Agenda and World Stroke Day Proclamation
Leadership in Organizational Development
2000
Dr. Hachinski began his 10-year tenure as Editor-in-Chief of "Stroke", the top journal in the field.
1975
Dr. Hachinski co-founded the first acute comprehensive stroke unit in the world
Brain & Mind
In collaboration with Dr. John Norris at the Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto.