Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in Wyoming, and for residents in rural areas, the distance to specialized care can be a matter of life or death. To tackle this issue, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has launched a statewide initiative to strengthen the entire stroke care continuum. The program, Mission: Lifeline® Stroke Wyoming, is supported by a $4.5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and a $785,000 commitment from the American Heart Association.
Over the next three years, the initiative will enhance coordination among 28 hospitals, including two nationally certified Advanced Primary Stroke Centers in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as community hospitals offering local services, telestroke capabilities, and transfer networks. Key components include improving public awareness of stroke symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1, training EMS personnel to quickly identify and transport stroke patients, ensuring hospital staff are well-prepared to treat and transfer patients, and facilitating seamless discharge to high-quality rehabilitation services. The program also aims to establish a sustainable statewide quality improvement data system to monitor care and identify areas for improvement.
“A stroke can change a life in an instant, and every minute from symptom onset to initial care matters,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “This investment is about creating a future where Wyoming residents can be confident that specialized stroke care is available when and where they need it.”
Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, emphasized the importance of a connected system: “Transforming stroke care requires a connected system that works seamlessly for patients when every second counts. Wyoming has an opportunity to demonstrate how rural states can strengthen access to high-quality stroke care.”
Casper neurologist Dr. David Wheeler, a stroke care leader and American Heart Association volunteer, highlighted the critical nature of time in stroke treatment: “When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost. In Wyoming, patients may be separated from specialized stroke care by hours of travel. This program will help ensure more patients are recognized, treated, and transferred quickly.”
Since 2010, the Helmsley Charitable Trust has supported Mission: Lifeline initiatives in several states, and this latest grant brings its total investment in the American Heart Association's stroke and heart attack programs to over $100 million. This funding has been foundational in improving statewide systems of care for heart attack and stroke, particularly in rural states.
The initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on stroke outcomes in Wyoming, potentially reducing disability and saving lives. By fostering collaboration among hospitals, EMS agencies, rehabilitation providers, and community partners, the program aims to create a robust infrastructure for long-term attention to stroke care across the state.
