FirstHealth hospitals have again earned stroke care awards from the American Heart Association for demonstrated commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most comprehensive, appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research- based guidelines designed to improve outcomes.
In 2026, FirstHealth’s four hospitals have earned the following awards for stroke care:
Moore Regional Hospital
Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond
Moore Regional Hospital – Hoke
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
“We are extremely proud that our team at FirstHealth is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in our region who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of both recovery and survival,” said Melanie Blacker, M.D., FirstHealth’s stroke program director in a press release. “Rural communities deserve high-quality stroke care, and we are committed to delivering it to anyone who comes through the doors of our hospitals.”
Stroke Symptoms You Should Know
BE FAST to recognize the signs of stroke
B – Balance: Is there a sudden loss of balance or difficulty walking?
E – Eyes: Is there sudden blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes?
F – Face: Is there suddenly an uneven smile or drooping of one side of the face?
A – Arms: Is there a sudden weakness, downward drift or numbness of one arm?
S – Speech: Is the speech suddenly slurred or garbled? Is the person able to repeat the sentence, ‘Today is a sunny day?’
T – Time: Call 911 quickly if one or more of these signs are present.
The KRAKEN-SKULLS brand includes a barbershop, a tattoo shop, a T-shirt company, an embroidery company, a website design company, a media marketing and graphic design company and an auto shop. Photos by GFBJ.When Chad Kraken retired from the military
Fred Surgeon, with the support of his wife Anita, owns and operates Surgeon &Associates, Inc, a family of businesses with everything from agritourism, pestcontrol, cleaning services and behavioral health services. Photos provided by Fred Surgeon.
Agents and leadership from Coldwell Banker Advantage and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage gathered to celebrate one of their own as she was recognized with two national achievements. A new C-Suite leader was also in attendance.
