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News Release

Media Contact:

Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 office; 530.588.4411 cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org

Three local neurologists to lead free talk
in honor of National Awareness Stroke Month

CHICO, Calif., May 19, 2011 – As part of an outreach effort to increase awareness of stroke warning signs, the Enloe Stroke Program presents Chico neurologists Michael O’Brien, MD, PhD, Joel Rothfeld, MD, PhD and Paramjit Singh, MD, who will lead a discussion on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 with community members on the symptoms and treatment of stroke as well as on prevention, risk factors and medication. This community event takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Enloe Conference Center. Reservations are not required for this free event. The doctors are independent licensed practitioners who are members of Enloe’s Medical Staff.

In other National Stroke Awareness Month outreach efforts, an Enloe stroke nurse, with the help of volunteer Butte College nursing students, took free blood pressure and discussed stroke riskwith 128 people at the May 5 farmers market. On May 11, stroke survivors share their stories at the Enloe Stroke Support Group.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability. Fast treatment can prevent or reduce disability. If someone thinks they’re having a stroke, it’s important to call 9-1-1 or get to the emergency room immediately. Among the most common stroke symptoms are easily remembered with the acronym F.A.S.T:

Face – Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile.
Arms – Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms
Speech – Does their speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, for example, “The sky is blue.”
Time – If you observe any of these signs, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.

More about symptoms and risk factors for stroke can be found at www.enloe.org/stroke.

Enloe received the 2010 Get With The Guidelines Gold-Plus Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association in recognition of the medical center’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients according to evidence-based guidelines. This was the fourth year the associations recognized Enloe for its stroke care.


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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.