Houston, Texas (March 2009) – Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Closer to home, the mortality rate for stroke in the greater Houston area is twice as high as the national average. In an effort to combat this disease, WHR] has joined forces with The Methodist Hospital System, raising awareness and funds to help reduce the incidence of stroke in the greater Houston area.
Through The Methodist Hospital System’s third annual Stride4Stroke 5K Walk/Run on March 7, at Rice University, WHR is helping to increase stroke awareness through Houston’s only 5K dedicated solely to this debilitating disease.
"Methodist's Stroke Awareness Campaign, Stride4Stroke, is an important educational effort that will greatly benefit the health of our community. WHR Architects is pleased to be able to participate in this worthwhile initiative," said David Watkins, FAIA, WHR Chairman of the Board.
Methodist’s 5K Walk/Run is part of a comprehensive initiative called Taking
Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign. The five-year plan is designed to promote education and awareness of stroke symptoms, treatment, prevention and research.
“Our corporate sponsors help our entire community become more educated about the signs and symptoms of stroke,” said Ron Girotto, president & CEO of The Methodist Hospital System. “We are honored that WHR Architects has partnered with Methodist to raise awareness of stroke.”
“Time lost is brain lost,” said Dr. David Chiu, medical director of the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center. “The more the public is educated and aware of stroke symptoms, the better chance we have of providing effective stroke treatment and saving lives.”
Funds raised benefit the Methodist NI and its stroke outreach education which serves all Methodist system hospitals, including The Methodist Hospital, San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.
For more information on the Methodist Stride4Stroke 5K Walk/Run, go to www.methodiststride4stroke.com or call 832.667.5867.
For more information on WHR Architects, visit www.whrarchitects.com.
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WHR Architects, Inc. is a full service architecture and interior design firm focused on designing healthcare, science, research, technology and academic facilities. The firm’s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an ingrained empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 160 people located in Houston and Dallas, the 29-year-old firm is working on projects throughout the US for top–tier public and private education and medical institutions including Meridian Health, Morristown Memorial Hospital, The Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and CHRISTUS. WHR has been recognized for achieving the highest level of business performance as one of only 40 firms in the US to be listed on PSMJ’s Circle of Excellence. WHR was also the only architectural firm included in the list of 2007 Best Companies to work for in Texas. In 2008, WHR was named the AIA Houston Firm of the Year.
With 18 beds, The Methodist Hospital’s Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center is the largest dedicated stroke unit in Texas and designated a certified primary stroke center by The Joint Commission. The Center is a leader in all areas of stroke research, including diagnosis, innovative treatment, prevention, rehabilitation and recovery.
Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Methodist is also affiliated with the University of Houston. Ranked among the country’s top centers in 12 specialties in U.S News & World Report’s 2008 America’s Best Hospitals issue, Methodist is ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in Texas, and is 12th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery.
For more on the Methodist Neurological Institute, visit www.methodistneuroinstitute.com, or call (713) 790-3333.
