Reassuring Stroke Care for Our Community

By Neil Culligan, MD, Section Chief of Neurology and Director of the Stroke Center, and Lauren Henriques, MSN, Neuroscience Coordinator, Danbury and New Milford Hospitals

When it comes to strokes, time is everything. Every minute can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability. That’s why we want our community to know this: If you or a loved one experiences a stroke, Danbury Hospital is ready — day or night — with the expert care you need.

Danbury Hospital, now part of Northwell Health, recently earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Honor Roll Elite and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll quality award.

This national recognition reflects our team’s commitment to delivering fast, effective stroke care that saves lives and reduces long-term complications. And this isn’t a one-time win — Danbury Hospital consistently receives recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, as well as Healthgrades and U.S. News & World Report, for providing advanced and high-quality stroke services.

Behind every award is a team of dedicated professionals. At Danbury Hospital, that includes emergency medical services (EMS), emergency department staff, neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, nurses, pharmacists and rehabilitation specialists — all working together to provide seamless, personalized care.

We also have some of the most advanced tools available, including a biplane angiography system that allows our endovascular neurosurgeons to remove brain vessel blockages with great precision. We are also certified by The Joint Commission as a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center — a designation that means we can deliver the highest level of care for even the most complex ischemic strokes.

But it’s not just about what happens inside the hospital. We’re also committed to educating the community about stroke prevention and early recognition. The most important thing you can do is know the signs of stroke and act quickly. Use the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes: Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes
• Face: Facial drooping on one side
• Arms: Arm weakness or numbness
• Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Time: Time to call 911 immediately. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. EMS will start the stroke evaluation to expedite your care at the emergency department.

Fast treatment leads to better outcomes. It can save your life — and it can save the quality of your life.

We see the strength of our team and the resilience of our patients every day in our Stroke Center. We want you to feel reassured: Whether you need emergency stroke care or support in recovery, you have world-class care right here in Greater Danbury.

Learn more about stroke services at the Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute, now part of Northwell Health.