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.
