SENECA, Pa. (EYT) — Beginning Monday, May 22, UPMC Northwest will host several events to recognize National Stoke Awareness Month including a celebration for stroke survivors, free stroke screenings, and an informational stroke symposium.

On Monday, May 22, area survivors of stroke and their guests are invited to a free dinner at UPMC Northwest at 100 Fairfield Drive in Seneca.

The program and dinner begin at 5:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. Registration is necessary by calling the UPMC Northwest Health Line at 1-800-422-8888 or 814-677-1463 before Wednesday, May 17.

On Tuesday, May 23, the public is welcome to attend the 8th Annual UPMC Northwest Stroke Symposium at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin. Registration begins at 3:45 p.m.

The program includes:

4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Welcome

James McLaughlin, D.O., Medical Director, UPMC Northwest Stroke Program

4:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. 2017 International Stroke Conference Poster 

Dianne Marsh, B.S.N., UPMC Northwest

4:40 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stroke Accreditation Process

Beverly A. Lawton R.N., M.S.N., Clinical Operations Fellow,

Program Coordinator, UPMC Northwest

5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Peripheral vs. Central Stroke Etiology

Greg Walker, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., UPMC Stroke Institute

6:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Malignancy and Strokes

Marcelo Rocha, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology, UPMC Stroke Institute

7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Stroke-Related Motion Disorders

Dimitrios A. Nacopoulos, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology,

UPMC School of Medicine

Free stroke screenings and educational information will be offered to the community on Thursday, May 25, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, at UPMC Northwest.

Screenings include:

• Stroke risk assessment
•  Carotid artery check
• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose and A1C screening
• Body composition
• Osteoporosis screening
• Cholesterol (includes HDL, LDL, triglycerides) – requires a 12-hour fast

Registration for the screening event is required by Thursday, May 18. To register or for more information, call 814-677-1463 or 1-800-422-8888.

All the stroke awareness events are made possible through a grant from the Northwest Hospital Foundation.