Welcome to the community engagement core of the UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease. Through community partnerships focused on stroke education and outreach we will increase stroke knowledge and preparedness, thereby reducing stroke burden and impact in the community. Further, we will build collaborative community- academic partnerships between Stroke Institute researchers and community stakeholders to ensure our research represents community needs and interest.
Stroke community outreach and education is a critical component of our stroke center. Our focus is providing stroke education and promoting stroke awareness to patients and their families, health care professionals, the Houston community at large, disease support groups, churches and civic organizations. We want every Houstonian to know the signs of stroke, the importance of calling 911 for suspected stroke (Time is Brain!), their stroke risk and how to reduce that risk.
Our community programming includes:
2019 was our last Stomp Out Stroke Festival. The festival started in 2013 and over seven years grew to one of the largest stroke community programs in the country, with thousands of Houstonians participating and over 5,000 health screenings and risk assessments completed. New community programming is currently being developed based on the Stomp Out Stroke resources.
If you're interested, you can read more about our community outreach.
The mission of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) is to engage and foster partnerships between researchers and the community to ensure research is patient focused, successful and meaningful. The CAB will provide an infrastructure for community members to advise about suitable research processes that are respectful to the community, to vet research, inform the community on clinical trials and provide input on future scientific directions.
Director of Community Engagement, James C. Grotta, MD Chair in Neurological Recovery and Stroke at the McGovern Medical School. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in...
Rachel experienced a stroke fifteen and a half years ago that left her with an expressive aphasia at the age of 24, just six weeks short of completing her Occupational...
Dr. Sean Savitz is a tenured Professor of Neurology, holds the Frank M. Yatsu Chair in Neurology, and is the Director of the Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases at McGovern...
Tom is a stroke survivor from a stroke suffered at the age 42 in October, 2006. Tom grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Houston with his wife and three children for 25 years. He currently...
Holly is a stroke survivor, a mentor, the founder of two Houston non-profit organizations, a dear friend and a loving mother. Holly suffered two strokes in April 2012 which left her and...
Dr. Anjail Sharrief is a stroke prevention neurologist who directs the UTHealth Stroke Transitions, Education, and Prevention Clinic. She completed her Neurology training at...
Wanda’s mother passed away at the age of 54 from a massive stroke. Devastated and inspired by this life changing ordeal, she pursued a career in helping others while being a wife...
Darrell earned his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in 1982 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from ...
Patty is a Caregiver Facilitator for West Houston Stroke Warriors support group. She and her husband, Bruno, first attended this group in late 2009 following his stroke. After his passing...
Gwen is the wife of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. She is particularly interested in the behavioral and physical health of our citizens. She and the Judge want to encourage efforts that...
Lynn is the manager of patient and community relations at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. Lynn joined the medical school’s Dean’s Office in 2001 to provide individualized...
Dr. Sujatha Sridhar is Executive Director, Research Compliance at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). The Research Compliance office provides...
Welcome to Stroke Strides, a community newsletter by the Community Engagement Division of the UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease. Our focus is increasing stroke awareness, providing stroke education, information on local resources, and updates on stroke research and treatment for strokes survivors, caregivers, and the community.
Some topics in this article include:
May is Stroke Awareness Month!
COVID-19 Keeping Patients Away from Stroke Centers
Test Your Stroke Knowledge
Mayo es Mes de Concienciacion Sobre Ataques Cerebrales
COVID-19 Mantiene Alejados A Los Pacientes Con Ataques Cerebrales
Prueba tu Conocimiento Sobre los Ataques Cerebrales
Some topics in this article include:
Stroke Survivors: Warning on coronavirus
Cryptogenic Stroke
Stroke Survivors Return to Driving
Sobrevivientes de un ataque cerebral:
Advertencia sobre el coronavirus
Accidente Cerebrovascular Criptogenico
Los sobrevivientes de un ataque cerebral vuelven a conducer
You will be added to our email list and receive the newsletter on a monthly basis as well as periodic special mailings if there is important news to announce.
Stroke centers across the country have seen a dramatic decrease in acute stroke admissions during the COVID 19 pandemic, suggesting people may be choosing to stay home and NOT seek stroke care because of fears of being exposed to coronavirus. Dr. Sean Savitz, Director of the UTHealth Stroke Institute in Houston, states "If patients feel that it's best for them to stay home and they're in the midst of a stroke, that could lead to far worse consequences."