|
Karen S.  Healthcare Professional Karen Seagraves, RN, MS, MPH, is the Stroke Program Leader for three major hospitals in the Greater Atlanta area. She is the CNS on the neuroscience progressive care unit and travels and reviews stroke programs for Joint Commission. Three years ago, she obtained permission to start a stroke support group. She appointed one of her nurses and the neuro case manager to facilitate the group. It started in November 2007, with just one survivor. In a few months, schedules changed, and Karen took over the group on a temporary basis. She has stayed with us for these years and has built a very strong group. Surely, it is unusual for a nurse with her credentials to be the chief facilitator of a stroke support group, finding time to attend every monthly meeting and sharing her wealth of knowledge with the group. She encouraged one of her nurses to start a Stroke 5K Walk at the hospital which will see its second year this May 2011. She accepted the Stroke Peer Visitor Program on the neuro floor and acts as the main site supervisor for these volunteers. She is committed to her staff and patients, always available for help and resources. She organizes and chairs a yearly tri‐hospital Stroke Symposium which is regarded as a gem in the metropolitan area. On the program each year, she incorporates a segment on which members of the support group present themselves as thriving survivors and caregivers. Karen's dedication to stroke is exceptional and amazingly effective. |
|