AdventHealth Redmond has introduced 24/7 interventional stroke treatment for patients in Northwest Georgia, marking the first time such continuous care is available in the region. The hospital aims to reduce emergency transfers to larger cities like Chattanooga or Atlanta by providing advanced stroke interventions locally.
Stroke rates remain high in the Southeastern United States, a region known as the “stroke belt,” which includes Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Carolinas. Studies indicate that residents of these states have a 15% higher risk of stroke than the national average. In Northwest Georgia specifically, both hospitalization and mortality rates due to stroke are significantly above national levels.
“Stroke is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in our rural counties,” said Julie Smith, director of neuroscience and orthopedic services at AdventHealth Georgia. “When it comes to stroke, every minute matters. Faster access means better outcomes, and we’re proud to bring that level of care to our community.”
AdventHealth Redmond holds certification from the Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. The hospital now provides constant access to mechanical thrombectomy and neurosurgical treatments for stroke. Previously, patients often faced delays because they needed transfers outside the region for advanced procedures.
With its dedicated on-site team, AdventHealth Redmond can start treatment within 30 minutes—faster than national benchmarks. This allows immediate use of clot-busting drugs or surgical removal of clots, helping preserve brain function and improve survival rates.
“This program is a game-changer for our community,” Smith said. “We’re seeing lives saved and long-term disabilities prevented because patients are getting the care they need — when they need it.”
The hospital continues efforts to address high regional stroke rates through innovation and education.
AdventHealth Orlando, founded in 1908 and located in Orlando, Florida, serves as a training hospital with a pediatric ward. Its current president is Terry Shaw.
