The East Bay Stroke Committee hosted a highly impactful Stroke Awareness and Blood Pressure Screening event in Richmond on World Stroke Day (October 29), demonstrating our ongoing commitment to stroke prevention and community health. During the event, the team conducted 311 blood pressure screenings for Kaiser Permanente members, offering an important opportunity to identify risks and engage in meaningful education.

Committee Chair Jerome Laurente, BSN, RN, CRN, CMC, CSC, SCRN, CNRN, highlighted the significance of the team’s findings. The committee administered a pre- and post-survey assessing members’ understanding of stroke signs and symptoms, appropriate actions during a stroke, and common risk factors. Surprisingly, a substantial number of participants showed limited knowledge in these essential areas, emphasizing the continued need for outreach, education, and preventive efforts within the community.

Interdisciplinary collaboration played a key role in the success of the event. The Richmond pharmacy team provided vital medication education, helping members better understand the role of medication adherence in reducing stroke risk. Additionally, the offering of heart-healthy snacks, reinforcing the importance of nutrition in cardiovascular health. These partnerships strengthened the event’s educational impact and will continue to be integral to future initiatives.

We are extremely proud of the Richmond Stroke Committee for delivering a successful Stroke Education and Blood Pressure Screening event. Their dedication to prevention, community engagement, and high-quality patient education reflects the core values of our nursing teams. Richmond extends sincere appreciation to all committee members and volunteers whose commitment, and collaboration made this event possible. Their work continues to advance health equity and improve stroke awareness within our community.

Photo: (L-R) Ria Abesamis BSN, RN; Juvelyn De Villa, BSN, RN; Claise Santos, BSN, RN; Shirley Remo BSN, RN; Jerome Laurente, BSN, RN, CCRN, CMC, CSC, SCRN,CNRN; Yangzom Kanam, BSN, RN ; Amandeep Kaur, BSN, RN; Adam Buie, PharmD