North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) has been recognized with multiple statewide honors for its leadership and commitment in delivering timely, high-quality stroke care to patients across north Arkansas. Most notably, NARMC has been officially designated as an Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospital by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), following a successful site survey and evaluation of the hospital’s emergency stroke protocols and resources.
This designation confirms that NARMC has the capabilities in place to evaluate, stabilize, and treat stroke patients, including real-time assessment and the use of telemedicine neurology consultations. The hospital also maintains coordinated processes for transferring patients to comprehensive stroke centers if advanced intervention is needed. NARMC is now listed on the ADH’s registry of Stroke Ready Hospitals, a vital resource for patients, families, and emergency responders.
In addition to the designation, NARMC received a Pearl Level Certificate of Achievement from ADH for hospital-based stroke care and documentation, as well as a Ruby Level Certificate of Achievement for excellence in pre-hospital stroke documentation by NARMC EMS. These recognitions reflect the high standards and responsiveness of both hospital and EMS teams during the July 2023 to June 2024 program year.
Further recognition came from the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation (IDHI) Stroke Program, where NARMC and its staff earned multiple awards for exceptional stroke care and community impact:
EMS Excellence Award: Awarded to NARMC EMS, one of only four recipients statewide. This marks the sixth consecutive year the team has earned this recognition.
Stroke Hero Award: Presented to Jessica Jackson, RN, NRP, one of only two individuals honored for this distinction.
Stroke Physician Award: Awarded to Dr. Bryan Shearer, recognizing his outstanding leadership and clinical care in stroke treatment.
These awards reflect the expertise, dedication, and rapid response efforts of NARMC’s stroke care team, emergency medical professionals, and providers. Beyond frontline responders, countless individuals including nurses, radiology techs, rehabilitation specialists, lab, and support staff play essential roles in stroke treatment and recovery. Their collaboration ensures patients receive the highest level of care when it matters most.
With Arkansas ranking ninth in the nation for stroke-related deaths, access to high-quality, timely stroke care is critical. NARMC’s designations and awards reflect a system built for speed, accuracy, and collaboration. This level of coordination ultimately saves lives and improves long-term outcomes.