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More Information |
| Mission |
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The mission of the peer visitor program is to provide a strong circle of support through an organized effort of peer outreach to individuals who are hospitalized with a new diagnosis of stroke. |
| Vision |
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To meet the emotional and social needs of every new stroke survivor served by the Stroke Center of Oklahoma through peer outreach. |
| Program Objectives |
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To help families address their emotional and social needs, while helping them face the many changes and challenges of stroke. |
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To provide opportunity to share concerns with someone who has experienced a stroke. |
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To give visible proof to new stroke survivors that they, too, can cope with life after stroke. |
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To serve as an educational resource and liaison between patient and health care providers. |
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To increase patient satisfaction with hospital care post-stroke. | |
Mike and Becky Heffernan were introduced to one another when they joined a stroke support group. “This came about when our former spouses both had strokes. We joined one of the first stroke support groups in Oklahoma City”, said Mike. They were caregivers to their spouses and their association developed into a strong friendship. A few years later their spouses died and after a period of time Mike and Becky decided to marry and work together in the National Stroke Association, a part of the American Heart Association, visiting stroke survivors and caregivers.
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| Mike and Becky Heffernan |
Mike suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in 1998. After several months of rehabilitation, he was able to get back to “almost normal”.
When INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center developed its Stroke Peer Visitor volunteer program, Mike and Becky immediately joined and have been active in the program for several years. “Becky and I both love working in the Peer Visitor Program. We can be so close to these survivors, giving them tips and information on what to expect and also referral information”, Mike continues, “We hope to continue in this as long as we can.”
 Contact
Julia Hunt, RN, CAVS
INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center
Director of Volunteer Services
(405) 636-7075
julia.hunt@integrisok.com
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INTEGRIS James R. Daniel Stroke Center
4401 S. Western Ave.
Oklahoma City, 73109
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