ADVOCACY: How to Get Access to Life-Saving Stroke Treatments…

ADVOCACY: How to Get Access to Life-Saving Stroke Treatments
Wednesday, May 3, Dr. Schwamm

Timing is of the essence when treating stroke – for every minute that a patient isn’t treated, millions of brain cells die. Dr. Lee Schwamm will discuss advancements in stroke treatment technology, the importance of getting immediate care, and share ways listeners can advocate for cutting-edge stroke care in their communities. Dr. Schwamm will also share an easy way to remember and identify the warning signs of stroke.

Suggested Questions:
• Why is timing so important when treating stroke?
• How does “telemedicine†work and how does it improve stroke care?
• What can you do to ensure your community has this type of life-saving treatment?
• What’s an easy way to identify the warning signs of stroke?
• Where can listeners go for more information?

About the Talent:
Dr. Lee Schwamm is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Executive Vice Chairman of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is the Director of Stroke Services. He also acts as Director of the Partners TeleStroke Network, a network which currently provides acute stroke consultation services to 27 rural and community hospitals in Massachusetts and Northern New England and was the first major TeleStroke network in the US.
He plays a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the American Heart Association’s National Get With the Guidelines-Stroke program, is chair of the clinical workgroup and co-chair of Mission: Lifeline Stroke. His clinical interests are stroke and cerebrovascular disease, stroke in the young, primary and secondary stroke prevention, cryptogenic stroke and unusual causes of stroke. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1991. He completed his neurology residency in 1995 and NeuroCritical Care Fellowship in 1996, both at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is board certified in neurology, Neurocritical care and vascular neurology.