Toby Gropen, M.D., James H. Halsey, Jr., M.D. Endowed Professor, director of the Division of Cerebrovascular Disease, and director of the UAB Comprehensive Neurovascular and Stroke Center, was recently honored with the 2026 Joe E. Acker EMS Award for Vision and Leadership to EMS System Development by the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS).
Established in 1990 as the R. Floyd Yarbrough EMS Award, the honor is presented annually to an individual or organization that has helped BREMSS achieve its goals and objectives. In 2018, the award was renamed in honor of former BREMSS Executive Director Joe Acker following his retirement.
Since arriving in Birmingham in 2015, Gropen has played a leading role in advancing regional and statewide stroke systems of care.
“Dr. Gropen has challenged us to think differently about stroke care and to pursue improvements that many of us did not realize were possible,” said Michael Minor, executive director of BREMSS. “His vision, leadership, and commitment to collaboration have helped take our regional and state stroke systems to new heights.”
Gropen has partnered closely with BREMSS, the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Acute Health Systems, and EMS leaders across the state on numerous initiatives designed to improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Among his many contributions, Gropen helped develop and validate the Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment, or EMSA, a tool designed to help EMS providers identify patients experiencing large-vessel-occlusion strokes in the field. He also helped establish a statewide workgroup of stroke specialists to guide development of the Alabama Stroke System and contributed to standards for thrombectomy-capable stroke centers.
Through an NIH-funded project, Gropen led the development and deployment of a severity-based stroke triage system known as StrokeSTAT, designed to help ensure patients receive the most appropriate care as quickly as possible. Additional efforts have focused on evaluating new prehospital diagnostic tools and improving transfer times between hospitals for patients requiring advanced stroke care.
“Whether it is a meeting, educational program, research initiative, or systemwide improvement effort, Dr. Gropen is always willing to share his expertise and support EMS providers,” Minor said. “He understands the critical role EMS plays in stroke care and has been an invaluable partner in building a stronger system for patients across Alabama.”
Beyond his work in system development, Gropen is an accomplished clinician, researcher, and educator who has mentored numerous students, residents, and fellows while continuing to pursue innovative approaches to stroke treatment and care delivery.
“Dr. Gropen’s impact extends far beyond any single project,” Minor said. “His dedication to advancing stroke care has improved outcomes for patients throughout our region and state. There is no one more deserving of this recognition.”