Paragould, AR – Contributed – Baptist Memorial Hospital-Paragould has been designated as an Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospital by the Arkansas Department of Health, recognizing the hospital’s ability to rapidly evaluate and treat patients experiencing a stroke.
The designation recognizes hospitals that meet state standards for providing timely stroke care, including emergency evaluation, stroke assessment and treatment, use of telemedicine when appropriate and coordination with emergency medical services.
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“While I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment, what means the most to me is what this designation represents for our community. Baptist Paragould serves patients throughout Greene County, Clay County and neighboring communities in Arkansas and Missouri. As a Stroke Ready Hospital, we are better positioned to provide timely evaluation and treatment for patients experiencing a stroke, while connecting them with the appropriate level of care when needed,” said Lacey Wheeler, Emergency Department Director and Stroke Coordinator, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Paragould.
The Stroke Ready Hospital designation follows months of preparation by the hospital’s emergency department, physicians, nurses and other clinical team members to ensure Baptist Paragould meets the requirements for the designation.
The new designation builds on Baptist Paragould’s recent recognition for stroke and cardiovascular care. In August, the hospital received five American Heart Association awards, including Get With The Guidelines — Stroke Bronze and Rural Stroke Silver awards.
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clot or a ruptured blood vessel. Because brain cells can begin to die without adequate blood and oxygen, early recognition and rapid treatment can improve survival and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
Signs of a stroke can be remembered using the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.: balance problems, eye or vision changes, facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should call 911 immediately.
Baptist Paragould provides progressive, compassionate health care to residents throughout Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. A 129-bed hospital with eight medical clinics, inpatient rehabilitation services, multiple medical specialties and a 91-bed assisted living facility, the hospital has received multiple recognitions for its cardiovascular and women’s health care.
Formerly named Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Baptist Paragould merged with Baptist Memorial Health Care in March 2026. To learn more, click here and follow it on Facebook.
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