UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Center: About Us

If you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 immediately!

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Brain cells begin dying within minutes of a stroke because blood and nutrients to the brain stop. Early action and rapid treatment can reduce brain damage and other permanent complications.

Signs of a stroke

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Brain cells begin dying within minutes of a stroke because blood and nutrients to the brain stop. Early action and rapid treatment can reduce brain damage and other permanent complications.

If you notice signs of a stroke, think F.A.S.T. to get your family members or friends immediate care. Signs and symptoms may come and go or possibly disappear altogether but if you detect any of the following call 911. Thinking F.A.S.T. can save your friends’ and family members’ lives.

• Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?
• Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange?
• Time. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Why Choose UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Center?

Certified by The Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association/American Heart Association, the UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Center is part of an elite group of providers focused on quality stroke care.

Comprehensive Stroke Centers are recognized as industry leaders and are responsible for setting the national agenda in expert stroke care.

Comprehensive Stroke Center certification recognizes hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced staff and extensive training to receive and treat people with simple and complex strokes. The UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Center has this certification as a testament to meeting Comprehensive Stroke Center standards and requirements. This includes:

• Expertise in treating patients with strokes of all kinds including ischemic, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage
• 24/7 availability of specialized treatments
• Advanced imaging capabilities
• Board-certified vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurocritical care and endovascular providers
• Specialized nursing care for stroke care and Magnet facility
• Streamlined accessibility with around-the-clock availability of staff, imaging, two hybrid operating room and endovascular procedures
• Neuromedicine ICU, and dedicated neuromedicine and surgical acute care wards
• Neurorehabilitation is available on-site

As part of our comprehensive care, we offer online consultations and rapid stroke assessment to physicians at a network of locations, including Leesburg and The Villages.

UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital

Patients who visit UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital will be met with a welcoming design, one that matches its inviting accessibility to highly specialized, comprehensive services.

Our outstanding faculty physicians and clinical experts work in concert within a world-class medical facility to meet the unique needs of our patients. This makes UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital a one-stop shop for outpatient and inpatient treatment services.

The address is 1505 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608. Learn more about UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital.

Contact us

Call us at 352.265.0111.