VCU news

By Frances Dumenci

The Institute for Women’s Health at Virginia Commonwealth University has received a competitive Medical Education Grant from Pfizer Inc. to support the Virginia Women’s Stroke Prevention Initiative.

The initiative is a comprehensive strategy to promote the prevention of stroke in women with a focus on underserved women. The two-year grant totals nearly $700,000.

Warren Felton, M.D., professor of neurology and the medical director of the VCU Stroke Center, is the project’s principal investigator. Susan Kornstein, M.D., professor of psychiatry and obstetrics/gynecology and executive director of the Institute for Women’s Health, serves as the co-principal investigator.

“Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States,” said Felton. “Ultimately, this study will serve to reduce the risk of stroke in both women and men served by VCU Medical Center and throughout Virginia.”

The initiative will implement stroke risk screening and evidence-based treatment guidelines in VCU Primary Care Clinics, incorporating the electronic medical health record. Patient education through the VCU Community Health Education Center (CHEC) is an additional important element included in the project.

“This important project will help to educate both patients and health care providers about unique health issues from women with regard to stroke prevention, and it will utilize our electronic health record to improve identification and risk factor management for women at increased risk of stroke,” Kornstein said.