Stroke Center, pediatric researchers cited for achievements

Published on Monday, July 29, 2024

By: Gary Pettus, gpettus@umc.edu

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades place UMMC among health science centers worldwide.

UMMC Stroke Center receives highest recognition from AHA

The University of Mississippi Medical Center received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.  

The UMMC Stroke Center earned this recognition through its commitment to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. 

"UMMC is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest AHA/ASA treatment guidelines,” said Neal Kiihnl, program manager for the UMMC Stroke Center. “Our teams put research-based practices into action every day that improve patient recovery. The goal is to ensure more people in Mississippi can experience longer, healthier lives.” 

UMMC achieved Honor Roll Elite Plus status for a third consecutive year for its rapid “door-to-treatment” time in ischemic stroke care. This recognition, the highest in its category, measures the “door-to-needle” time for administering thrombolytics, or “clot buster” medication. UMMC earned this by starting treatment for 75% of patients within 45 minutes and for 50% within 30 minutes. 

This is also the 12th year the Medical Center achieved the Gold Plus level, which recognizes hospitals for two or more consecutive calendar years of 85% or higher adherence on all achievement measures and 75% on select quality measures. 

“Get With The Guidelines – Stroke” is the AHA/ASA’s hospital-based quality improvement program that measures how closely a hospital’s stroke care matches national patient care recommendations based on the latest scientific research.  

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize the University of Mississippi Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“Participation in ‘Get With The Guidelines’ is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.” 

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. One of the eight southeastern states that make up the “stroke belt,” Mississippi has led the nation in its number of stroke-related deaths per year since 2017.    

In 2023, UMMC achieved certification from The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, making it one of only two hospitals in the state with this level of recognition. The designation is awarded to fewer than 70 elite stroke centers in the U.S, reinforcing UMMC’s commitment to providing Mississippians with the highest level of care. 

"This award recognizes the extraordinary teamwork put forth by UMMC employees when providing stroke care to our patients,” said Dr. Chad Washington, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, and director of the UMMC Stroke Center.

“We are proud to share with Mississippians that we continue to provide the highest quality care proven to improve patient outcomes.” 

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First Palmer Awardee announced among other Pediatric Research Day honorees

The inaugural Dr. April Palmer Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Marc Majure, chief of pediatric pulmonology, during Pediatric Research Day, July 19.

The award is named in honor of the late professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, who passed away on Jan. 26, 2023.

Other honors presented included Pediatric Research and Clinical Education Program awards to student researchers Austin Lane, first place; and Hayden Tucker, second place; and medical student Timothy Martin, third place.

Medical student poster award winners were Jessica Jasper, first place; Kaitlyn Barber, second place; and Tyler Morton, third place.

Resident/faculty awards went to Dr. Dylan Tribolet, internal medicine resident/fellow, first place; Dr. Sophia Cherry, internal medicine/pediatric resident, second place; and Dr. Thy Huynh, assistant professor of dermatology, third place.

The event had the largest number of PReCEP students, 17, taking part, and more than double the number of posters from 2023 at 44.

“The growth of Pediatric Research Day shows how much interest there is in this path,” said Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor of pediatrics. “The varied research projects presented this year reflect how many aspects of care can turn into discovery.”

PReCEP combines research and quality improvement programs with clinical care. First-year medical students can apply to participate during the summer between their first and second years of medical school. The program is under the direction of Dr. David Gilliam, associate professor of pediatrics, and Dr. Cynthia Karlson, professor of pediatrics-hematology/oncology.