May 13, 2008

News Release

Workshop Turns Community Members into Stroke Ambassadors

Rockville , Md. – Shady Grove Adventist Hospital’s “Stroke 101 – Become A Stroke Ambassador and Save A Life” workshop is helping more than 50 volunteers become stroke ambassadors—armed with tools and materials to educate our community about the third leading cause of death in the United States.  The workshop, which was held today and is part of the hospital’s national stroke awareness month recognition, is designed to teach community members about strokes so that they can share stroke prevention and life-saving tips with family, friends, coworkers and others in the community.

“During a stroke, time equals brain tissue.   Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke is important, since quick action by family and community members can help limit disabilities and save lives,” notes Dr. Ezra Cohen, Medical Director of the Stroke Program at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, which was designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Maryland Institute of Emergency Systems and Services in January.

In the U.S., strokes kill 150,000 people each year, and are a leading cause of adult disability.  A stroke is a “brain attack” that literally cuts off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.  During a stroke, two million brain cells die every minute, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, leading to disability or death.

Shady Grove’s three-hour session included information about stroke risk factor reduction, recognizing the symptoms of stroke as a 9-1-1 emergency as well as information about rehabilitation.   The session also included a survival story and a stroke activist talk from community members who experienced strokes.  Each “Stroke 101” attendee also received a stroke toolkit filled with materials to help them share information about strokes out in the community.

“Many people do not recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke,” explains Corda Johnson, Stroke Program Coordinator for Shady Grove.  “We hope that today’s session will help our ambassadors carry the message on recognition and prevention of stroke into the community and, as a result, help us save lives.”

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, is a not-for-profit, acute care facility with 275 licensed beds that is located in Rockville, Maryland.  Shady Grove is committed to demonstrating God’s care by improving the health of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing.  The hospital offers a broad range of health services and is recognized for excellence in emergency care; high-risk obstetrical and neonatal care; cardiac and vascular interventional care; pediatric services including the first Pediatric Emergency Department in Montgomery County and the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the county; as well as a broad range of surgical specialties.  The Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center in Germantown opened in 2006 and is providing increased access to emergency medical care for upcounty residents.  Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is part of Rockville, Maryland-based Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery system that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.