George C. Newman, MD, Honored by Delaware Valley Stroke Council: Announces New Stroke Initiative

Philadelphia, PA, December 18, 2006 - George C. Newman, MD, PhD, of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) unveiled his latest plan of attack on stroke while accepting the Delaware Valley Stroke Council’s award for his work in stroke treatment at the Stars for Stroke Gala, held at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia.

Dr. Newman, Chair of Einstein’s Neurosensory Sciences Department, is planning the Delaware Valley Stroke Alert - a single project that will unite healthcare organizations, businesses, community groups and churches to educate 6.5 million Delaware Valley residents about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the need to call 911 at the onset of symptoms. Delaware Valley Stroke Alert will be May 8, 2007.

The Delaware Valley Stroke Council is a non-profit advocacy group that seeks to improve stroke-related services and treatment of stroke survivors in the Philadelphia region.

"It is thrilling to be honored by such a distinguished group. I look forward to working with everyone to educate all Delaware Valley residents of the warning symptoms of stroke and the urgent need to call 911,” Dr. Newman said. “Early arrival in the emergency room is our best opportunity for treatment so that we can minimize the stroke injury and return patients to their loved ones as quickly as possible."

Before joining Einstein in January 2006, Dr. Newman served as an attending neurologist and director of the Stroke Program and Inpatient Services at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and University of Wisconsin Health in Madison, WI. He became intimately involved with the Wisconsin Stroke Alert and decided the project should be replicated in other places.

In addition to the Delaware Valley area, Stroke Alerts across the country will be occurring simultaneously on May 8, 2007. Participating locations include the San Francisco (CA) Greater Bay area; Long Island, NY; the Great Lakes region, and Houston, Texas.

Stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States, is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a region of the brain is obstructed and results in death of brain tissue. Effects of a stroke can include paralysis, memory loss, vision impairment, as well as speech and language difficulties. Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke – 15,000 this year in the Philadelphia region alone and 700,000 annually in the nation.

For more information about the Delaware Valley Stroke Alert, go to www.strokealert.org. To learn more about the Delaware Valley Stroke Council, visit www.phillystroke.org.

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

CONTACT: Lisa Myers
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-7326
Myersli@einstein.edu

Publish date: December 18, 2006

Delaware Valley Stroke Alert will be May 8, 2007. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the need to call 911 at the onset of symptoms.

The work of Delaware Valley Stroke Council (formerly Philadelphia Stroke Council) is to improve services for and treatment of stroke survivors and their families.