Welia Health Recognized as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital

Welia Health is one of 121 hospitals in Minnesota recognized for its preparedness to evaluate, stabilize, and provide emergency treatment to patients experiencing acute stroke symptoms. Stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability in Minnesota. Quick access to emergency stroke care significantly improves patient outcomes.

In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to designate Minnesota hospitals as “stroke hospitals.” Hospitals may be recognized as Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals, Primary Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers, or Comprehensive Stroke Centers. Each designation reflects a hospital’s ability to provide rapid, evidence-based stroke care.

Minnesota has seen a significant increase in access to stroke care, and 94% of Minnesotans now live within 30 minutes of a designated stroke system hospital. MDH has designated 121 stroke hospitals as part of the Minnesota Stroke System, including 98 Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals
throughout Minnesota.

“Welia Health is proud to be recognized as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital,” said Sarah Holmgren, RN, MSN, Director of Emergency Services and Stroke Program Coordinator at Welia Health. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our multidisciplinary team—including prehospital providers, nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, and therapy specialists—who work tirelessly to stay current with best practices and deliver exceptional stroke care to the communities we serve.”

“Stroke is an emergency, and timely treatment decreases the chance of disability or death,” said Nicky Anderson, MDH Stroke Program Supervisor. “Every second counts. That is why it is so crucial that all Minnesota hospitals are ready to recognize and deliver timely stroke care close to home.”

Know the Signs: B.E.F.A.S.T.

Welia Health encourages the public to recognize the signs of a stroke and call 911 immediately. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers are trained to identify stroke symptoms and will transport patients to the nearest designated stroke center quickly.

Remember B.E.F.A.S.T.:

• B – Balance loss – Is coordination or balance suddenly difficult?
• E – Eyesight change – Is there a sudden change in vision?
• F – Facial drooping – Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb?
• A – Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb?
• S – Slurred speech – Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?
• T – Time to call 9-1-1 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and get to a

For more information about the Minnesota Stroke Program, visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s website.

Media Contact: Taylor Anderson, Welia Health Marketing Coordinator, info@weliahealth.org or 320.225.3423.