Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Emergency Department Trauma and Stroke Coordinator Rachel Hawthorne, R.N., will speak about stroke risk factors, symptoms, and treatments on KKIN Radio’s Community Connection program Thursday, April 8, from 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Tune in at 94.3 on the FM dial to hear about what you can do to help someone who may be suffering from a stroke and why getting emergency care as soon as possible is so important. The longer a person goes without treatment for their stroke symptoms, the more brain tissue becomes ischemic and the tissue dies.  Calling 911 as soon as symptoms are recognized is key to improving outcomes for people who experience a stroke.

CRMC is designated as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health recognizing the organization’s preparedness to evaluate, stabilize and provide emergency treatment to patients with acute stroke symptoms. The designation means CRMC uses best practices to stabilize stroke patients and administer life-saving medications. CRMC physicians treat more than 1,000 patients each year for stroke-related issues as well as about 65 acute emergency room related services.

Hawthorne has been a registered nurse for 16 years, traveling for about half of those years and the other half working in rural emergency departments in northern Minnesota. She has been the Stroke Coordinator at CRMC for 2.5 years working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health to maintain CRMC’s Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Designation.

---