Without the UAMS IDHI Stroke Program, many facilities across the state would not have the capability of providing life-saving treatment to stroke patients.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month!
Do you know the signs and symptoms of a stroke? Recognizing a stroke and calling 911 can save a life!
03/05/2026
Stroke care close to home does not happen by accident. It takes teamwork, commitment, and a shared investment in doing things right.
We are proud to partner with Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Hope, AR, whose team, in close collaboration with Pafford Medical Services is delivering outstanding door-to-needle times.
This is what a strong statewide stroke system looks like in action and a powerful reminder that when hospitals, EMS, and communities work together, Arkansas patients win.
If you notice the signs of a stroke in yourself or a loved one, remember: time is brain. Call 911 and seek treatment immediately.
https://swark.today/articles/swarmc-stroke-response-team-achieves-27-minute-door-to-needle-time-through-coordinated-ems-and-hospital-partnership?fbclid=IwdGRleAQVo9xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeQx1KXGHyeqfme8s1pc99TpyZboLVFcQeEaZDj9xzxmVvJgxxXeS6mBxF85k_aem_Plk8JpC_u147ZHXPDboaQ
SWARMC Stroke Response Team Achieves 27-Minute Door-to-Needle Time Through Coordinated EMS and Hospital Partnership SWARMC Stroke Response Team Achieves 27-Minute Door-to-Needle Time Through Coordinated EMS and Hospital Partnership
One moment, life is perfectly normal. The next, everything changes in an instant. For stroke survivors like Debbie, what happens next makes all the difference. Through our partnership at Unity Health White County Medical Center, Debbie had access to specialized care when every second mattered.
If you notice the signs of a stroke in yourself or a loved one, remember: time is brain. Call 911 and seek treatment immediately.
🌍 World Stroke Day is observed every year on October 29th to raise global awareness about stroke, its prevention, treatment, and the vital importance of timely action.
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. This day highlights the devastating impact stroke can have on individuals, families, and communities.
Early recognition of stroke symptoms and rapid medical response are critical to saving lives and improving recovery outcomes. Knowing the signs could mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong impairment.
We urge everyone to learn the signs and remember to BE FAST:
B – Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E – Vision changes in one or both eyes
F – Face drooping or uneven smile
A – Arm weakness or numbness
S – Slurred or strange speech
T – Time to call 911 immediately
⏳ When it comes to stroke, time is brain — every second counts. Early treatment saves lives and improves outcomes.
A stroke doesn’t just affect one person—it touches the entire family. The UAMS Institute for Digital Health and Innovation Stroke Program ensures survivors and their loved ones have the resources, education, and care they need during the hardest moments.
Since joining forces with the UAMS Institute for Digital Health and Innovation Stroke Program, CHI Morrilton has worked hand-in-hand to provide lifesaving stroke care. Today, we’re proud to share their very first stroke survivor story — a testament to quick action, compassionate teamwork, and the power of collaboration. This recognition marks the beginning of many stories of hope, healing, and recovery still to come.
The IDHI Stroke Program: Saving Lives Across Arkansas
At the IDHI Stroke Program, we're proud to be on the front lines of stroke care, delivering rapid, expert treatment 24/7 to every corner of Arkansas — rural or urban — through telemedicine and dedicated stroke response teams.
Every day, we:
• Connect stroke patients with neurologists in minutes
• Administer lifesaving clot-busting treatments quickly and safely
• Train nurses, EMS teams, and hospital staff on evidence-based stroke protocols
• Educate the public about stroke symptoms and prevention through community outreach and interactive Mega Brain events
• Support survivors and families throughout their recovery
Survivor Spotlight:
"I sat down at my desk to work on engineering drawings, searching for my favorite pencil when, suddenly, items on the desk appeared to shift. My first reaction was, “This is strange.” Disoriented and dizzy, I quickly recognized that something was seriously wrong.
– Randal Birdwell, Stroke Survivor from Morrilton, AR
From the bedside to the community, we’re committed to reducing stroke deaths and improving outcomes across the state. The work we do is saving lives.
10/29/2024
Today is ! Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. will have a stroke--knowing the signs and symptoms can help save a life!
Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance?
Eye – Is there a change in vision in one or both eyes?
Face – Does their face droop or look uneven? Ask the person to smile.
Arm – Is one arm numb or arm weak?
Speech – Does their speech sound slurred or strange?
Time - Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately. Time Is Brain!
WORLD STROKE DAY 2024 PSA raising awareness for stroke signs and symptoms
09/17/2024
Join us this Saturday, September 21, at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / ArkansasOnline.com Health & Wellness Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock! This is a FREE event that will offer free health screenings, the UAMS Mammovan, physician panels, a car and truck show, and our very own mini brain! Stop by and check it out from 9 am - 1 pm!
09/17/2024
Atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib, is a heart condition affecting at least 2.7 million Americans. It is a heart arrhythmia, meaning the heart beats abnormally. This arrhythmia increases the risk of clot formation which can cause stroke! If you or a loved one are living with A-Fib, make sure you take time to know the signs and symptoms of stroke using BE FAST:
B-Balance difficulties
E-Eyesight changes
F-Facial weakness or drooping
A-Arm weakness or numbness
S-Speech changes
T-Time to call 911