Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Launches Inaugural Stroke Training Summit

PRESS RELEASE

Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Launches Inaugural Stroke Training Summit to Strengthen National Response to Stroke Care

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, June 5, 2025 — The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) successfully launched the first day of its inaugural Stroke Training and Assessment Summit today, bringing together local and international healthcare professionals to enhance stroke recognition, response, and treatment across Antigua and Barbuda

Held at the SLBMC Auditorium, the Summit welcomed physicians, nurses, emergency responders, and allied health professionals for a day of interactive education, engaging presentations, and capacity-building focused on improving outcomes for stroke patients.

This week’s event builds on a comprehensive six-week training course that laid the foundation for the advanced sessions and practical assessments taking place throughout the Summit.

“This is more than a training; it’s a turning point,” said Dr. Gaden Osborne, Neurologist and Chair of the Subspecialty Services Department at SLBMC. “We are committed to creating a system where every minute counts, and where our healthcare teams are empowered to act quickly and decisively to give stroke patients the best possible chance at recovery.”

Today’s program featured an impressive international lineup of stroke care professionals, including neurologists with different subspecialties, such as endovascular and neuroradiology, and a registered nurse serving as a stroke coordinator. These experts delivered engaging and interactive presentations on a wide range of stroke-related topics, offering global insights to support local capacity-building.

The sessions addressed critical aspects of stroke care, including stroke recognition by EMS, neurological assessments in triage, thrombolysis decision-making, and the management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

Additional topics included mechanical thrombectomy, dysphagia screening, post-thrombolysis care, inpatient stroke nursing, and effective discharge planning, underscoring the importance of a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach from first response through recovery.

A key goal of the summit is to support SLBMC’s ongoing efforts to achieve formal stroke center certification from the World Stroke Organization (WSO). The hospital has already begun the certification process, which aims to align its stroke protocols and performance with international standards. Becoming a certified stroke center would mark a major advancement in reducing stroke-related deaths and long-term disability in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Summit is made possible through the generous support of Medical Benefits Scheme, Caribbean Alliance Insurance, Caribbean Pharmaceutical Supplies Ltd., and Sagicor Life.

“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors and partners,” said Salma Crump, Head of Marketing & Communications at SLBMC. “This kind of training is only possible through strong collaboration. It’s a reflection of what we can achieve when healthcare institutions, private sector partners, and the broader community work together to build a healthier, more prepared nation.”

Tomorrow’s sessions will center on a review of SLBMC’s stroke services and performance data, followed by a formal assessment by the World Stroke Organization, an essential milestone in the hospital’s journey toward certification and ongoing advancement in stroke care.

SLBMC extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, facilitators, and partners working to improve stroke outcomes and elevate healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda.