The Legacy

2017

Its origins date back to August 2017, when Dr. Jose Navarro initiated preliminary discussions among graduates of local Stroke and Vascular Neurology Fellowship Training Programs - primarily from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC). These discussions led to the formation of the Stroke Fellows’ Alumni Association (SFAA), a pioneering effort aimed at unifying stroke-trained neurologists and advocating for the formal recognition of Vascular Neurology as a subspecialty in the country.

2018

By 2018, the group had begun formal preparations for institutionalization, drafting its Articles of Incorporation and Constitution and By-Laws. That same year, the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) formed an Ad Hoc Committee for the development of a Stroke Subspecialty. In light of this development, incorporators began to reconsider the continued existence of the SFAA as a separate entity.

2019

In 2019, the SFAA was formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Meanwhile the PNA Stroke Ad Hoc Committee subsequently submitted proposed guidelines for the certification of stroke specialists and accreditation of training institutions. An invitation was extended to eligible practitioners to apply for certification through a "grandfather clause," though this approach encountered opposition during the PNA Business Meeting later that year.Progress was halted in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities related to the subspecialty board and the SFAA were temporarily suspended.

2022

The initiative regained momentum in 2022 with the formal constitution of the Vascular Neurology Subspecialty Board. This board undertook a thorough review and refinement of the existing certification and accreditation guidelines. In mid-2023, the initial list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Vascular Neurologists was released. With certified vascular neurologists now formally recognized, the name and function of the SFAA were deemed no longer appropriate. It became apparent that a new professional organization was needed - one that could encompass both vascular and interventional neurologists and support their collective advancement.

2024

In 2024, the group revisited and revised the original SFAA legal framework to align with the new direction. Recognizing the need for broader representation, Dr. Navarro proposed expanding the core incorporators from seven to thirteen, to include other key institutions offering fellowship training in vascular neurology. The organization was envisioned not to duplicate, but rather to complement, existing stroke-related societies in the Philippines, notably, the Philippine Neurological Association and the Stroke Society of the Philippines. It is our aim to augment and complement their initiatives - especially in stroke-related academic programs.

2025

In 2025, this vision was fully realized with the official SEC registration of the Philippine Academy of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (PAVIN). The Academy was founded with a clear mission: to promote excellence in clinical practice, education, and research for vascular and interventional neurology in the Philippines. Through inclusive leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and commitment to continuing professional development, PAVIN is poised to play a transformative role in the country's evolving landscape of neurovascular care.

The Beginning of a Legacy

The establishment of the Philippine Academy of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (PAVIN) represents a significant milestone in the advancement of stroke care and neurovascular subspecialization in the Philippines.