Western Baptist Hospital Foundation luncheon raises more than $7,700 for stroke education

Western Baptist Hospital Foundation will present $7,700 in proceeds from a recent luncheon event to the hospital to expand stroke education.

Neurologist Jacqueline Carter, M.D., presented stroke information to about 140 women at the event. Because Kentucky has among the highest incident of stroke in the nation, she said it is important to remember the simple acronym F.A.S.T. to remind people of stroke symptoms:

F=FACE. Does one side droop?

A=ARM. Raise arms; does one drift down?

S=SPEECH. Is it slurred or odd?

T=TIME. Call 911 as soon as symptoms start.

Stroke patients who arrive at the hospital within the first three hours of stroke symptoms have an improved chance for successful treatment or complete recovery from clot-busting medication.

Western Baptist has a stroke care partnership with the University of Louisville, including access to its telemedicine stroke network via a robot. It also partners with the Purchase District Health Department on a grant to improve community awareness of stroke risk factors, symptoms and treatment.

For information on stroke symptoms, phone Western Baptist’s Chest Pain and Stroke Hotline at 1-800-575-1911 to speak to a nurse.

For information on the foundation and how it assists the hospital in carrying out its mission, contact Laurie Latham at (270) 575-2871.