Program coordinator at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital appointed to Illinois Stroke Advisory Subcommittee
From Illinois Business Journal news services
BELLEVILLE – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital has announced that Alison Kennedy, BSN, RN and Stroke Program coordinator, has recently been appointed to serve as a member of the Illinois Stroke Advisory Subcommittee by the Illinois Department of Public Health for a term of three years.
As a member of this body, Kennedy will represent Southwest Illinois EMS Region 4, which includes Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington counties, and the state in an advisory capacity regarding matters related to the triage, treatment, and transport of possible acute stroke patients.
“I am both privileged and honored to accept this advisory position on behalf of our region and the state of Illinois,” said Kennedy. “I plan to use my experience in acute stroke care, partnered with our valuable relationships with our Region 4 EMS providers, to offer the best possible advice and foresight to enhance stroke related care across Illinois.”
Kennedy has been instrumental in developing St. Elizabeth’s Stroke Telemedicine Program and establishing St. Elizabeth’s as a designated Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Kennedy has also assisted other HSHS Southern Illinois Division hospitals, including HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland during the successful development and implementation of their Stroke Telemedicine Programs. The Stroke Telemedicine Programs allow hospitals to connect potential stroke patients to world class neurologists using an audio and video connection through a telemedicine robot, allowing patients to receive appropriate treatments immediately to ensure the best outcomes possible.
Kennedy additionally serves as a board member and as the Education and Community Engagement Director of Association of Stroke Coordinators. She also is a member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, Graduate Nursing Student Academy, American Nurses Association, and is an American Heart Association Professional Member of the Stroke Subcommittee.
The State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee reports to the governor-appointed State EMS Advisory Council helping to guide legislation to improve access and quality of stoke care throughout Illinois. Members are appointed by the state and serve a three year term. The subcommittee meets several times a year. All meetings are open to the general public and meeting minutes are posted on the IDPH website.
