Laredo Medical Center Hosts Fiesta for Stroke Awareness
5/13/2022
What happens when you combine a popular Mexican holiday with a national health observance? You have a fiesta.
Laredo Medical Center kicked off its celebration of Stroke Awareness Month with its first ever Fiesta de LMC on Thursday, May 5, which coincided with Mexico’s cinco de mayo holiday.
The goal of the community event was to raise awareness about this serious medical emergency in a fun and relaxed setting.
Mexican party decorations added color to the hospital lobby, and mariachi music played in the background during the fiesta.
An education and information fair with tables, draped with colorful Mexican serapes, were manned by LMC staff who offered free literature on stroke and heart disease prevention, as well as other related topics to stroke, such as sleep disorders and outpatient rehabilitation for stroke victims. Guests got to enjoy heart-healthy snacks and refreshing aguas frescas.
LMC invited the Laredo Stroke Support Group to join the celebration and share information about their services and events. About 20 stroke survivors and their families also attended as honorary guests of this inaugural celebration.
“Stroke is indeed a serious problem in our country where a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. And the best way to fight and prevent this disease is through education,” said Jorge Leal, FACHE, CEO of Laredo Medical Center. “Our hospital is committed to shed light on stroke prevention and support for stroke survivors. We want to educate the community on ways we can all take action to help win this battle.”
Chantel Molina, stroke coordinator at Laredo Medical Center, was the lead organizer of this event. She hopes the hospital’s educational efforts make a difference.
“Fiesta de LMC is providing awareness on signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of calling 911 and receiving emergency medical care without delay for a stroke or heart attack. Time loss is brain and heart loss. Every second counts to prevent further disability and mortality,” said Molina.
The ceremony concluded with a special recognition where hospital administrators presented stroke survivors with a gift as a token of appreciation for attending the event and helping to promote stroke awareness.
In 2018, the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association awarded Laredo Medical Center with accreditation as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. The hospital earned reaccreditation in 2021.
As an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Laredo Medical Center is recognized as a leader in stroke care and demonstrating a higher standard of service for stroke patients in its community.
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