Yale New Haven Health

May is Stroke Awareness Month—a reminder that knowing the signs can save a life. In this NBC Connecticut segment, Caitlin Loomis, MD, Vascular Neurology, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital; associate professor of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, highlights a critical message: recognizing stroke symptoms early and acting fast can make all the difference. When a stroke occurs, time is brain—nearly 2 million brain cells can die every minute without treatment, making rapid response essential. Watch for the warning signs using B.E. F.A.S.T.: 🧠 Balance – sudden loss of coordination 👀 Eyes – vision changes 🙂 Face – drooping on one side 💪 Arms – weakness or numbness 🗣️ Speech – slurred or difficult ⏱️ Time – call 911 immediately Quick action can reduce long-term disability and even save a life. ▶️ Learn more from Dr. Loomis: http://ynh.care/1lV

The Adams Neurosciences Center at Yale New Haven Hospital will be a place where advanced science and compassionate care come together to bring hope to patients and families facing complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions: http://ynh.care/1lT. Yale School of Medicine

In this month’s Around the System, we take an in-depth look at the latest developments across Yale New Haven Health. We’re covering: • Bridgeport Hospital is honored with the 2026 AONL Prism Award • More than 870 Yale New Haven Health-affiliated physicians are named “Top Docs” • Lawrence + Memorial Hospital unveils renovated hospice rooms • YNHHS expands access to care in Stratford with new offices • Yale New Haven Health and Yale Medicine celebrate Connecticut Liver Health Day • YNHHS employees generously donate to the 2026 Give Healthy Campaign

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. In addition to sudden severe headaches, the most common symptoms of stroke can easily be remembered by the letters BE FAST. Don’t delay. The faster you get to a hospital, the sooner you can get treatment or medication to reverse stroke’s effects: http://ynh.care/1lE. B = Balance unsteady E = Eyesight changes F = Facial droop A = Arm weakness S = Speech difficulty T = Time to call 911

Last Friday, May 15th, we had the incredible honor of celebrating the heroes on the front lines of emergency care at our 12th Annual EMS Awards Ceremony. We were proud to welcome New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and gather with EMS crews from across our region to recognize their extraordinary skill, compassion, and dedication to saving lives every single day. This year’s event was especially powerful, as cardiac arrest survivors stood side by side with the EMTs and paramedics who helped bring them back to life—real, living reminders of the impact of rapid, expert care when every second counts. To all of our EMS providers: thank you for answering the call, for your unwavering commitment, and for the lifesaving work you do in our communities. And congratulations to all of this year's award recipients. We are grateful to celebrate your excellence and service. #EMSWeek #YaleNewHavenHealth #EMSStrong #CommunityHeroes

This past weekend, we attended Florida International University's 4th Annual Recruiter Fair to connect with the next generation of CRNAs! We discussed the opportunities we have for CRNAs, what our training environments entail, and shared the highlights our mentorship program. If you're interested in learning more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eEGq96yC

Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital sends a heartfelt thank you to Latonya and Alvan Bailey who shared the following beautiful letter with the teams who cared for their daughter, Laundyn, a former Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) patient: “At just 3 weeks old, after being home and appearing perfectly healthy, Laundyn’s life took a sudden and traumatic turn. What initially seemed like a fussy baby quickly became something far more serious. After contacting her pediatrician and bringing her into the office, that visit unexpectedly turned into an ambulance ride to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Upon arrival, Laundyn was immediately placed on ECMO (life support), and we were faced with the devastating words no parent is ever prepared to hear: “Your daughter is having heart failure.” That moment marked the beginning of a three-month journey in the PICU that would forever change our lives. During those three months, Laundyn endured more than we could have ever imagined. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the pediatric cardiology team, the countless physicians, incredible nurses, PCAs, BAs, child life, ECMO, respiratory, EAs and OT and PT teams, chaplains, social workers --- all who played a major role in Laundyn’s care. Your dedication, expertise, compassion, and tireless efforts never went unnoticed. Because of your hard work, dedication, and passion, Laundyn has overcome every obstacle placed before her. Today, she is a thriving 10-year-old, soon-to-be 5th grader. She no longer has heart issues. She is living a beautiful and fulfilling life. The impact the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital PICU team made on our family can never truly be measured. Your compassion inspired us to create our nonprofit organization, Laundyn’s Acts of Love, where we now strive to pay forward the same love, support, and compassion that was shown to us. The PICU team will always hold a special place in our hearts. You are more than medical professionals to us — you are family.”

Kent Winchell is left handed, and for decades that’s the way he always held the brushes he used to create award-winning oil paintings of landscapes and village scenes around his hometown of Old Lyme. But when Winchell had a debilitating stroke about two years ago, the struggle was all the more difficult because the damage to his brain incapacitated his left side, including his hand. The stroke (the second of his life, and he’s now 80) came while he was sitting in his living room chatting with his brother; suddenly he couldn’t move his left arm off the arm rest; he couldn’t speak. Winchell’s wife, Kathy, called 911, and they remain forever grateful for the responding EMTs and the life-saving stroke care at Yale New Haven Hospital, which gave Kent a chance at regaining function. Winchell’s doctor, Rachel Forman, MD, a neurologist with Yale New Haven Health, and assistant professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, identified Winchell as an ideal candidate for an innovative FDA-approved device that aids in stroke rehabilitation. To learn more, visit http://ynh.care/1lp.

High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it can cause serious health problems without any noticeable symptoms. Regular monitoring is essential to detect and manage it early. Simple lifestyle changes—such as reducing sodium intake, staying active, and managing stress—can significantly lower your risk. Don't wait for warning signs; take charge of your health today. Learn more about the importance of checking your blood pressure: http://ynh.care/1lg.

Congratulations to Yale New Haven and Greenwich Hospitals for earning the prestigious five-star overall hospital quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), recognizing the hospital for outstanding performance in patient safety, clinical quality and the exceptional experience it provides to patients and families. The CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating is based on performance across several key categories, including safety of care, mortality, readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Fewer than 15 percent of hospitals nationwide achieve the five-star distinction. Greenwich Hospital: http://ynh.care/1lf Yale New Haven Hospital: http://ynh.care/1le