Campaign Urges Residents to BE FAST

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater recently announced the launch of a county-wide project to raise awareness of stroke signs and the action to take. More than 300 stroke patients are treated at Frederick Health Hospital each year. This project has been a year-long collaboration between Frederick County Government agencies, including Division of Fire & Rescue Services, Frederick County Health Department, Diversity and Inclusion Office, Communications and Public Engagement, Senior Services Division, and Frederick Health Hospital.

“Stroke Smart Frederick has the potential to create lasting and meaningful change in our community,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Strokes have an enormous impact on Frederick County. Through this collaboration, more people will know the signs and symptoms of someone having a stroke, will know they need to BE FAST, and the safer and healthier our community will be.”

This project launch can be found on the website using FrederickCountyMD.gov/Stroke and includes information on the signs of a stroke and actions to take—call 911! A short video is available for people to view, along with a quiz to confirm that the key points have been learned. This resource expands access to information, allowing any community group to view and share it. Videos in Spanish will be added to the website soon. A PSA video has been created in English to relay the importance of this health issue from the local perspective. A Spanish version of the video is under development.

“For decades, stroke has consistently been one of the leading causes of death in Frederick County, as well as the leading cause of disability,” said Frederick County Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer. “We’re using local data and setting a goal, and I look forward to seeing our progress.”

“Frederick Health is honored to help make Frederick County the first Stroke Smart county in the nation,” said Heather Kirby, vice president of Integrated Care and Chief Population Health Officer at Frederick Health. “When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. That is why we’ve been working to expand our outreach efforts and partnerships to educate our community on the signs of a stroke. Frederick Health has an award-winning stroke care team and is here for you when it matters the most.”

“It’s an honor to be part of this public health collective impact initiative,” said Kathy Schey, director of the Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence (formerly known as the Senior Services Division).