San Angelo Stroke Center

Helping You Recover After Stroke

As a Primary Stroke Center, Shannon is equipped with an integrated emergency response team, as well as stroke-trained neurosurgeons, neurologists, and nursing staff, all of whom are qualified to administer thrombolytic therapy (tPA). A Primary Stroke Center designation means that Shannon’s Stroke Unit also offers:

• Acute stroke program coordinator
• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
• CT scan and MRI diagnostic testing
• Home healthcare
• Social services

If you or a loved one is in need of specialized care following a stroke, our staff is here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our San Angelo Stroke Center and the comprehensive services we offer.
Our Acute Stroke Coordinator can be reached Monday-Friday from 8am to 5 pm at 325.747.8392.

Stroke Treatments and Rehabilitation

When it comes to treating a stroke, every minute matters. "Few conditions occur as rapidly and with as destructive consequences as stroke; therefore, the most crucial factor of stroke treatment is to seek immediate medical care," says Archana Rao, MD, Neurologist and Medical Director of Shannon's Acute Stroke Unit. Our Get With the Guidelines–Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award demonstrates that our staff is committed to providing care that has been shown in the scientific literature to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols."

As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some common treatments following a stroke may include:

• Tissue plasminogen activator
• Endovascular procedures
• Surgical treatments
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy

The goal of the Shannon Rehabilitation Center is to improve function so that the stroke survivor can become as independent as possible. This is accomplished by helping individuals relearn basic skills that a stroke may have taken away—skills like walking, communicating, dressing, or bathing.

All of our team members work together to assist the patient and family in dealing with the effects of stroke, which are often misunderstood without rehabilitation expertise. These effects may include cognitive or perceptual impairment, reduced attention and awareness of body parts, visual field loss, or difficulty swallowing. Our team consists of professionals specializing in stroke care including:

• Medical director: Archana Rao, MD
• 24-hour rehabilitation nursing
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Case management, social work, and psychology
• Orthotic and prosthetic consultations

Reclaiming Your Life After Stroke

Life after stroke has its own challenges that will take support and determination to adjust to. Strokes can have an impact on intimacy, relationships, work, and hobbies. In many instances, stroke survivors may have to learn how to do certain daily tasks differently.

Through rehabilitation, stroke survivors can:

• Re-learn basic skills, such as talking, eating, dressing, and walking
• Improve balance and endurance
• Improve communication, swallowing, and cognition, such as memory and problem solving

Shannon’s Rehabilitation Team includes the Shannon Rehab Hospital and the Shannon Neuro Rehabilitation Clinic. Together, these resources help patients learn how to take care of themselves, as well as teach the family how they can help. The overall goal is to attain optimal independence and quality of life.

To learn more about our San Angelo Stroke Center and how we can help you or your loved one recover after stroke, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Call our Acute Stroke Coordinator at 325.747.8392.