VCU Health, city leaders partner to make Richmond a “Stroke Smart City”
VCU Health is uniting with the city of Richmond and partner organizations to spread awareness about a medical emergency affecting 1 in 6 Americans in their lifetime.
“Seconds matter. Becoming a Stroke Smart City requires the support of our whole community,” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said. “Whether it happens [in a city building] or in the home of one of our residents – we all must be prepared to respond in the proper way.”
The Stroke Smart City campaign aims to educate all residents of Richmond about the signs and symptoms of stroke. Mayor Stoney and Richmond City Council announced the partnership between the city and VCU Health during a city council meeting this week, offering a public declaration of thanks to our team members for working to make Richmond a “happy and healthy place.”
“As a pastor for over 20 years, I cannot tell you how many church members I have visited who were rehabilitating from a stroke. This issue is also personal for me, my mother died from a stroke,” city council president Michael Jones said. “We must be Stroke Smart. We must be vigilant and do all that we can to live healthy and live smart. So, thank you, [VCU Health], for all that you do.”
The public health initiative emphasizes the importance of being able to spot a stroke and about calling 911 immediately so individuals suffering from a stroke can receive hospital-level care quicker. Medical professionals highlight how receiving treatment within 3 to 4 hours once symptoms of a stroke begin can improve health outcomes.
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