Nazareth Hospital Receives $100,000 Grant for Renowned Stroke Program; Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Awards Grant for Stroke Equipment

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2004

PHILADELPHIA -- The Honorable Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia), State Senator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, presented Nazareth Hospital's Chairman of the Board Anthony Szuszczewicz and Chief Operating Officer Christina Fitz-Patrick with a check today in the amount of $100,000. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare awarded the grant to Nazareth Hospital's Stroke Prevention and Treatment Program. Today's check is part of a $750,000 grant Nazareth received last week.

"Stroke care and rehabilitation is a key focus at Nazareth Hospital, and our continued recognition by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is wonderful," stated Patricia B. DeAngelis, President and CEO of Nazareth Hospital. "We've been ranked #1 in stroke care in the state for three years running."

The funds from this grant will be utilized to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to aid in stroke detection, treatment and rehabilitation.

Chairman of the Board Anthony Szuszczewicz continued, "Our ongoing collaboration with the Commonwealth has helped move our stroke program forward, and accomplish our ultimate goal of saving lives."

"Nazareth's tireless focus on stroke education, treatment and rehabilitation has really made an impact on our community," said The Honorable Mike Stack. "I am proud that the Commonwealth has provided funding to assist the Hospital with their stroke program."

Last week, Nazareth Hospital announced that HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare quality company, had rated them #1 in stroke care for the third year in a row. This award was determined after an independent analysis of nearly 5,000 hospitals in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. HealthGrades publishes these ratings based on the clinical performance of that hospital. For the third year running, Nazareth Hospital earned a five-star rating, the highest possible for the treatment of stroke care.

Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Nazareth Hospital has provided health care to the Northeast Philadelphia community since 1940. The Hospital has 225 acute and 28 skilled care beds, and offers a full array of health care services -- emergency services, surgery, vascular services, cardiac care, award winning orthopaedic and rehabilitation services, cancer care, women's health, and home health services. Nazareth Hospital is part of the Mercy Health System, and Catholic Health East, which includes more than 35 hospitals and 28 long-term care facilities in 10 states. For more information about Nazareth Hospital, please log onto www.NazarethHospital.org.