Stamp Out Stroke
About Us
NP student Dalia Pena-Solorzano presenting to JUNTA for Progressive Action
Stamp Out Stroke is a community outreach initiative led by the Yale Stroke and Vascular Neurology division. We are comprised of stroke physicians, nurses, neurology residents, and students. Our mission is to educate the New Haven and surrounding communities about stroke risk factors, warning signs, and the importance of receiving prompt care.
Neurology resident Melissa Rethana, MD presenting about stroke risk factors to the Madison Senior Center
Our focus is on providing education to underserved communities. Please email Rachel Forman if you know of any community centers that would like to host a virtual event. We can provide education materials in English and Spanish. Please follow us on Twitter to stay updated on our work (@StampOutStroke).
Shanicka Reynolds presents at the virtual SOS lecture on April 1, 2021.
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, the Stamp out Stroke (SOS) initiative presented a stroke education lecture to Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) clients during its weekly health literacy class. IRIS is a non-profit agency whose mission is to help refugees and other displaced people establish life in the United States and Connecticut. The agency offers case management and can help with basic needs, legal aid, employment, healthcare, and education. The lecture was presented by Rachel Forman, Ranisha Parker, Stephanie Towns, Colleen Gurn, and Shanicka Reynolds.
Members
Rachel Forman, MD - Stroke Attending and Faculty Advisor of SOS
Karin Nystrom - Stroke Program Manager, Founder of SOS
Ranisha Parker - Integration and Outreach Stroke Nurse Coordinator
Yale Neurology Resident Board Members: Barbara Gordon-Kundu, MD and Melissa Mariscal, MD
SOS Medical Student Board:
- President: Kane Wu
- Secretary: Gwyneth Maloy
- Treasurer: Smiksha Chopra
- Community Outreach Chairs: Tommy Chang, Rebecca Gergara Greeno
- Research Chair: Emily Avery
- Visibility and Recruitment Chair: Cindy Khanh Nguyen
Events
SOS travels throughout the surrounding region with the goal of advancing stroke prevention and awareness. SOS tailors each presentation - whether in-person or virtual - to its audience, but its mission remains the same. In 2021, SOS held events at:
- Madison Senior Center
- Derby-Shelton Rotary Club
- Junta for Progressive Action
- IRIS
- AHA Heart Walk (Along with their families, 12 staff members and students raised more than $2,600 for the AHA!)
- The Towers @ Tower Lane
- SOS Town Hall for YNHHS Employees
- Walk and Talk
- Guilford Fair
- Women's Junior Conference
- West Haven Apples Festival
- Housatonic Community College