From the press release from Mission Health:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2012) – Mission Hospital recently received a $20,000 grant from the N.C. Stroke Association. The grant will allow Mission to support stroke outreach to 18 counties in western North Carolina. The grant allowed Mission Hospital to hire a community outreach coordinator, who will begin facilitating risk identification programs and public awareness events.
“Stroke prevention and treatment education is a critical need within the community of western North Carolina,” said Robin Jones, Stroke Program Coordinator at Mission Hospital. “I am excited about partnering with community hospitals on these efforts. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in North Carolina and we, at Mission, want the community to be educated on this disease.”
Mission Hospital plans to implement the Stroke MESSENGER (Mission Expanding Stroke Screening and Education Networks Guaranteeing Enhanced Regional Reach) Program with the grant money.
The program, driven by the outreach coordinator, will provide stroke risk assessments and screenings to people in underserved communities. The coordinator will also collaborate with county emergency services agencies (EMS) to help secure resources for EMS education. These resources will help EMS personnel identify the symptoms of stroke and take the appropriate actions. Public awareness events will be arranged throughout the 18 counties of Western North Carolina to shed light on stroke signs and symptoms.
“The MESSENGER program will ultimately reduce the impact of stroke in western North Carolina,” said Sara Bullock, Director of Neurosciences at Mission Hospital. “Western North Carolina residents are 36% more likely to die from stroke than in other parts of the state. Mission understands this problem and we believe educating the community is a big step towards preventing stroke.
About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital, the flagship hospital of Mission Health System, is a not-for-profit community hospital that serves as the regional referral center for Western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital is the only Primary Stroke Center recognized by the Joint Commission in Western North Carolina. According to Thomson Reuters, Mission Health System is ranked among the top 15 health care systems in the country, and Mission Hospital is the busiest surgical hospital in North Carolina. Mission Hospital offers physician services in more than 50 specialties, and employs more than 6,000 people, including over 1,800 RNs. Mission Hospital is committed to serving its community and improving the health of the people in Western North Carolina.
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