EMS Stroke Training Course Available Online

The Minnesota Stroke Partnership's EMS Stroke Task Force has developed a unique training course focused on the role of EMTs and paramedics in stroke diagnosis and treatment. The EMS Response to Stroke continuing education course will improve EMS providers' knowledge of current practices for recognition and treatment of stroke signs and symptoms in patients.

The course is presented by Craig Rees, MS, NREMT-P, and Kari Olson, RN, CNRN.

Craig has been working in EMS for over 20 years. His experience ranges from rural communities to high volume urban communities. He also spent time working as a flight medic. He has been providing education to EMS provider throughout his entire career in EMS. In an effort to improve the quality of education he was providing, he completed a Masters program in Experiential Education.

Kari is a certified Neuroscience Nurse with the Stroke & Neurosciences Program at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. She has 20 years of experience working with stroke patients from bedside nursing to various administrative and clinical roles. Kari provides education & support for hospital staff, patients, families and community partners. Kari obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Minnesota StateUniversity- Mankato and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota.

Please visit the resources page at http://www.mnstrokepartnership.org/ to access the course. The 1 hour presentation video must be viewed on a high-speed internet connection using Internet Explorer.

If you have any questions about this online training opportunity, please contact Dr. Jim Peacock at the address below:

James M. Peacock, PhD, MPH
Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention Unit
Center for Health Promotion
Minnesota Department of Health
Golden Rule Building
85 East Seventh Place, Suite 220
P.O. Box 64882St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
Email: james.peacock@state.mn.us
Phone: (651) 201-5405

Website: www.health.state.mn.us/cvh

Send a Message from Your Heart for the Holidays...

Our advocacy efforts can make a greater impact with legislators when the message comes from the heart -- from people whose families have been touched by heart disease or stroke, or have a personal stake in this fight to save lives. Do you know someone who is passionate about heart and stroke issues? Have you invited them to join our You're the Cure Network?

This holiday season, we're asking you to take a couple of minutes to recruit your friends and family to join our You're the Cure Network.

Follow the link below to log in to You're the Cure and click on the Tell a Friend Link to personalize your message to friends and family today:

Send a Message from Your Heart for the Holidays

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our You're the Cure Network and for all you've done to help the American Heart Association save lives.

We can't spell CURE, without "U".

Happy Holidays!

TAKE ACTION! Resolve to Make Minnesota Heart Healthy in 2010!

2010 is fast approaching and with a new year comes new opportunities to make Minnesota a healthier place to live.

The Minnesota Legislature will convene on Feb. 4th, 2010. Follow the link below to contact your Representative, Senator, and Governor Pawlenty about the heart healthy policies they should make a priority in 2010:

Resolve to Make Minnesota Heart Healthy in 2010

In 2010, your American Heart Association will be working with legislators on three top priorities:

1. Increasing the price of tobacco in Minnesota to build a more comprehensive approach to helping Minnesotans quit smoking and prevent people from starting altogether.

2. Creating statewide standards for physical education in our state. Overweight /obesity are a primary risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in Minnesota. PE Standards in schools will teach our children the importance of exercise.

3. Passing a statewide Complete Streets policy in 2010. A Complete Streets policy means that our streets and roadways will be safer and more accessible for pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, and drivers--all users, regardless of age or ability. With safer commutes and walkable/bikable paths, more Minnesotans will have the choice to lead a healthy lifestyle.


Resolve to Make Minnesota Heart Healthy in 2010

We wish you a happy holiday season and thank you for all you continue to do to support a healthy lifestyle in Minnesota!

You're Invited: Participate in a Health Care Reform Discussion Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, our National You're the Cure Network will be hosting a call entitled: Health Care Reform in the Senate and Beyond.

The call is tomorrow from 1-2pm CST.

You're invited to join the AHA's CEO Nancy Brown, and Chairman of the Board Neil Meltzer for this important call!

RSVP Today by Following this Link: RSVP for HealthCare Reform Call!

Please make sure to dial in a few minutes early -- an operator will ask for your name before connecting you to the call.

During the call, you will hear directly from volunteer and staff leaders about the progress being made in the Senate, the work left ahead, and how you can continue to work with the AHA to ensure affordable, accessible, and adequate health care is achieved. There will also be time for you to pose questions to the speakers and share your own story that illustrates the need for reform.

Study shows overwhelming parent support for healthier schools

A study conducted for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation by KRC Research found that more than 92 percent of parents consider physical education and health education as important as English, math and science instruction. Furthermore, 96 percent of parents believe that physical activity can boost their children’s classroom performance, and virtually all parents (99 percent) recognize that healthy eating also has a positive effect on learning.

The vast majority of parents want schools to limit students' access to high-calorie chips, sodas and candy and to offer them opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, a new survey by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation shows. The national survey signals the breadth of parents' support for changes to make schools healthier places—and their willingness to help make those changes happen. In fact, nearly eight in 10 parents are ready to get more involved to create a healthier environment in their local schools.

More information on the study can be found at www.HealthierGeneration.org.