OUR STROKE CARE TEAM

A Comprehensive Stroke Center Close to Home

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

Ascension St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan, has earned a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification, with zero findings, from The Joint Commission, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Achieving the CSC certification is a demanding requirement designed for hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.

CSC designation represents:

Excellence in the care of stroke patients.
With the CSC designation, the hospital can now treat the most complex (or serious) of strokes.
An acute stroke care team available 24/7.

Ascension St. Mary's is the first hospital north of Flint, and only the 11th Michigan hospital, to achieve this designation. They are among the three percent of all US hospitals that have CSC certification as there are fewer than 200 across the country. This designation means the hospital is ready 24/7 to deliver advanced stroke care. It is the highest level of stroke certification, earned by meeting standards for the most complex stroke cases. Ascension St. Mary's joins three other Ascension Michigan hospitals that have earned comprehensive stroke center certification- Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, and Ascension Borgess in Kalamazoo.

what our doctor's have to say:

To earn CSC designation, the Ascension St. Mary's stroke care team was required to collect and report data showing that the hospital met or exceeded standardized performance measures. They must follow advanced standards and practices, provide specific procedures to a defined number of patients annually, and offer advanced, round-the-clock expertise, neurological services and resources.

"Our commitment to delivering the highest quality stroke care using the most advanced procedures, technologies and treatments has made Ascension St. Mary's a destination institution for stroke patients in our area and throughout the region," says Stephanie Duggan, MD, FACEP, CPE, Regional President, Ascension Michigan Northern Ministries. "We are so excited that we have earned comprehensive stroke center certification. We have a legacy of being a center of excellence for stroke and neuro care, and we are very proud that we are continuing to raise the bar for stroke care excellence. Achieving this designation demonstrates that we are indeed providing the absolute highest quality clinical care for patients that meets or surpasses national standards of excellence."

-Stephanie Duggan, MD, FACEP, CPE, Regional President Ascension Michigan Northern Ministries

-Joseph Adel, MD, FAANS, cerebrovascular, endovascular, and skull base neurosurgery

"Ascension St. Mary's has a highly collaborative and committed stroke team who made our CSC designation a reality," said Joseph Adel, MD, FAANS, cerebrovascular, endovascular and skull base neurosurgery. "Certification recognizes health care organizations who are committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care. Our physicians, nurses and clinicians are ready and able 24/7 to provide patients with the best possible stroke care and treat the most complicated and serious strokes when seconds count."

"Strokes require urgent care to restore blood flow to the brain and begin the recovery process. Being designated a comprehensive stroke center means that we've been recognized for our ability to quickly and effectively treat all strokes so patients have the best opportunity at a full recovery," said Nnenna Mbabuike, MD, endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgeon. "Having worked along side Dr. Adel and the rest of the extremely highly trained members of the stroke team, the residents across mid and northern Michigan should be assured they have a choice where to receive care for stroke or other neurological conditions close to home."

-Nnenna Mbabuike, MD, endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgery

what is a stroke?

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 it and brain cells die. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent disability or death. That is why it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and what to do in an emergency. Our care team at Ascension St. Mary's are well trained and coordinated to mobilize within minutes to stabilize, diagnose, and treat complex neurological conditions.

ischemic stroke

The American Stroke Association describes an Ischemic Stroke as when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed. It accounts for 87 percent of all strokes.

Learn More About Ischemic Stroke >

hemorrhagic stroke

The American Stroke Association describes a Hemorrhagic Stroke as when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. The two types of weakened blood vessels that usually cause hemorrhagic stroke are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Learn More About Hemorrhagic Stroke >