STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville was recently designated as a Level IV Acute Stroke Ready facility by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“This designation exemplifies how we’re delivering quality stroke care by using best-in-class guidelines,” said Claudia Eisenmann, FACHE, president of Texas Health Stephenville. “Providing Erath County residents with life-saving acute stroke care, delivered with empathy and proficiency close to home is helping consumers in our community live their best and healthiest lives.”

Stroke designation rules were updated in February 2022. They provide first responders with detailed identifiers for transporting patients with acute stroke symptoms to the appropriate designated facility. The four levels of stroke designation include:

• Level I — Comprehensive
• Level II — Advanced
• Level III — Primary
• Level IV — Acute Stroke Ready

As a Level IV Acute Stroke Ready facility, Texas Health Stephenville must maintain the proper equipment and key personnel. Staff requirements include a stroke medical director — who is a physician on the hospital medical staff — and a stroke nurse coordinator. The care team can assess, resuscitate, and stabilize stroke victims. They also provide treatment or request transfer to a higher-level stroke center, said Tammie Hicks, Stroke Program coordinator for Texas Health Stephenville.

For Hicks, the stroke designation goes beyond accolades — it’s personal and heartfelt.

“My dad was a liver transplant recipient, but a hemorrhagic stroke took him away from us. He never made it to the emergency room. Being part of Texas Health Stephenville’s Stroke Program means the world to me, because I know we are competent and compassionate; and we are here to care for families just like we are for our own.”

Hicks takes pride in serving the community and her colleagues in her role with the Stroke Program.

“I’m a resource and facilitator for hospital employees, making sure they are knowledgeable and capable of implementing and improving care for stroke patients,” Hicks said. “When it comes to our neighbors, I coordinate care and empower stroke patients and their family members with the necessary tools to establish a smooth transition in the recovery process.”

The Texas Department of State Health Services reviewed hospital data to confirm Texas Health Stephenville adhered to current clinical stroke care guidelines. To earn Level IV Acute Stroke Ready designation, the hospital also completed an extensive on-site survey to verify proper use of its stroke protocols.

Texas Health Stephenville is one of more than 20 facilities across Texas designated as a Level IV Acute Stroke Ready facility. Texas Health Resources also has seven Primary Stroke Centers and three Comprehensive Stroke Centers in North Texas.

Hicks is committed to playing a key role in offering quality stroke care in the community.

“We are constantly working like a well-oiled machine to protect our friends and neighbors. We take pride in our facility and a quality Stroke Program, and we’ll keep working hard to maintain it for years to come.”

To learn how Texas Health is advancing neurological care throughout North Texas, click here.