Carthage, Texas (May 30, 2025) — People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. UT Health Carthage is committed to changing that.
For efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural healthcare outcome disparities, UT Health Carthage has been designated as an Acute Stoke-Ready (Level IV) Stroke Support Center.
“We are proud that our team at UT Health Carthage is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Panola County who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” UT Health Carthage CEO Jared Smith said. “Rural communities deserve high quality stroke care. I'm proud of our team for their commitment to stroke care excellence and this achievement.”
The designation recognizes hospitals for their efforts toward acute stroke care readiness demonstrated by compliance to guideline-directed care for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, timely hospital inter-facility transfer, dysphagia screening, symptom timeline and deficit assessment documentation, emergency medical services communication, brain imaging and stroke expert consultation.