North Tidewater News

Newport News has earned the distinction of being a Stroke Smart City, making it the first city in Hampton Roads to achieve this recognition. The city's mayor, Phillip Jones, recently made the proclamation and launched a campaign to mark National Stroke Awareness Month.

"Strokes have impacted many of our residents and their loved ones," said Jones. "Through the Stroke Smart Campaign, we will educate residents about the signs and symptoms of a stroke. Every second matters when someone is experiencing a stroke, and we accept the challenge to raise awareness and do our part to save lives."

Newport News joins an array of communities throughout the Commonwealth that have partnered with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and other healthcare partners in their localities. The VDH's website hosts the Stroke Smart Virginia public health initiative, which was launched with an aim to reduce pre-hospital delays and increase timely stroke treatment through education and actionable steps.

The Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force (VSSTF) adopted Stroke Smart Virginia as a statewide initiative in 2021. It also formed a Stroke Smart Virginia Community Action Group that meets monthly to discuss best practices and initiatives undertaken by other communities across Virginia.

"Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States and in our community here in Newport News. Stroke Smart Virginia is a low-cost public health intervention that empowers our community members to spot a stroke, stop a stroke, and save lives,” said Tes La Dieu, Population Health Manager for the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts.

The city’s Community Assistance Response (CARE) Program has joined hands with Riverside Health to improve health outcomes in Newport News. These efforts, along with Mayor Jones' recent proclamation, are aimed at highlighting May as National Stroke Awareness Month. During this period, stroke awareness information will be promoted at city-sponsored events and through social media campaigns.

Dr. Thomas Taghon, Chief Medical Officer for Riverside Regional Medical Center, expressed his organization's commitment to the initiative. "As a proud partner in Newport News’ Stroke Smart City initiative, Riverside is dedicated to leveraging our expertise and resources to enhance stroke awareness and response in the community,” he said. “By combining our efforts with the city and other local agencies, we are not only educating our residents but also advancing our capabilities to provide timely and effective stroke treatments. Together, we are committed to reducing the impact of strokes and improving health outcomes for all our citizens.”

The city and its partners have pledged to implement efforts throughout the year to further promote this program. Future partnerships with businesses and healthcare providers in Newport News are being planned. The public is encouraged to learn more about stroke signs and symptoms by visiting riversideonline.com/stroke.