November 10, 2022  – Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital has provided outstanding community education in stroke prevention and was awarded the “Service Award” by The Norton Healthcare/University of Kentucky HealthCare – Stroke Care Network for fiscal year 2022.

The annual Service Award is earned by outstanding community education and public awareness efforts. Despite the continuing challenges experienced during the pandemic, Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital utilized the Stroke Care Network’s Stroke Community Outreach, Prevention and Education (SCOPE) program to continue vital community education and spread the word about stroke prevention.

At the Network’s annual Summit meeting, Dr. Larry Goldstein, interim director of the Stroke Care Network, congratulated Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital for their dedication to excellence in stroke care.

“Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding stroke education to the community is to be commended,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Everyone’s goal is to provide education throughout the community to spread the word about stroke prevention and Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital’s efforts embody that principle.”

“The enthusiastic support which comes from each employee of Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital is always inspiring and stimulating to me,” says CEO Mallie Napier-Noble.
“We embrace the mission of ARH which is to improve health and promote well-being of all people in central Appalachian in partnership with our communities. Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital’s team is dedicated to improving the health of our community and I am proud of our effort to reach those communities.”

“Stroke remains the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined in the world. The prevalence in our ARH communities of Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia is equally concerning. We are truly honored and blessed to have successfully increased our focus on stroke awareness and treatment through the efforts of Dr. George Khouri, Medical Director for Neuroscience, Rachel Jenkins, System Director of Neuroscience, and most importantly our Stroke Coordinators throughout the system. It is no surprise that this team has been honored with these amazing awards recognizing their unending commitment and laser focus on stroke education and timely interventions. I am so proud of this amazing team!” says Susan Carmical, MHA, FACHE, Vice President of Service Line Operations.

Lisa Bellamy, BHS, RN, CPHQ, the Stroke Care Network’s managing director, notes that Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital “has persevered and utilized all resources to be able to maintain their community education efforts and continue to raise awareness regarding stroke, as well as maintaining a steadfast commitment to improvement. Their success is a direct reflection of their hard work and dedication.”

As one of the 37 affiliate hospitals in the Stroke Care Network, Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital has access to networking with other stroke care centers in the tri-state area, an abundance of educational offerings and resources, and support from higher level stroke certified organizations. Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital’s affiliation and participation within the Stroke Care Network contributes to the Network’s overall mission of strengthening the stroke system of care throughout our region.