STROKE TEAM SPOTLIGHT! May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and we want to show some appreciation for the team members who make it possible for Baptist Health to be a leader in stroke & cerebrovascular care. Meet Susana Tedrick, MSN, RN, SCRN, Stroke Program Educator. Q: How long have you worked at Baptist Health? A: My journey with Baptist Health began more than 11 years ago when I worked as a CNA on 3B at Baptist Medical Center South while going through nursing school. After earning my RN license, I continued my path here in various roles—including staff nurse on 4D and 4B, and later as a Clinical Educator with the Learning and Development team. Life took me to Washington state for my husband’s Navy sea tour, but after returning to Jacksonville, I was thrilled to rejoin the Baptist family in November of last year—this time as a Stroke Educator for our Stroke Program. It truly feels like coming home! Q: Why did you choose to work in health care, and specifically with the stroke team? A: Neurology has always been my passion. My very first RN role was on 4D—one of our Stroke Units—and I quickly fell in love with the complexity and mystery of the brain. Stroke care, in particular, captured my curiosity and heart. I dove deep—attending neurology conferences, pursuing advanced training, and most recently earning my Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) credential. The more I learn about stroke, the more I realize how much there is to know—and how crucial it is to share that knowledge. I believe that when nurses understand the why behind stroke assessments and protocols, they’re empowered to provide even better care. That’s what drives me every day. Q: What do your day-to-day responsibilities look like? A: No two days are the same—and that’s what I love most! Since my role spans the entire system, I have the flexibility to work from any of our campuses, including the Free-Standing EDs. It gives me the opportunity to build relationships with nurses and leaders across all locations. I round on stroke units, chat with staff and managers, and discuss best practices and Joint Commission standards. I partner closely with Stroke Coordinators to ensure nurses get the education they need and troubleshoot any documentation or assessment challenges. Some days I’m creating educational resources or assigning training modules to meet compliance standards. Other days, I’m coordinating talks with our incredible Neurovascular team to bring even more stroke knowledge to the bedside. And yes—I’ve introduced myself so many times that nurses now say, “We know who you are!” (That always makes me smile.) Q: What’s one stroke myth you’re passionate about debunking? A: The myth that “there’s nothing you can do to prevent a stroke”—I hear that all the time, and it couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, about 80% of strokes are preventable. I love educating people on how they can lower their risk—whether it’s managing high blood pressure, quitting smoking, staying active, or just being aware of stroke warning signs. Prevention is powerful. 5. What’s one fun fact about you? If memes were a love language, that would be mine! I’m known for adding memes, GIFs, or a little humor to my emails and conversations. It’s my way of spreading sunshine and bringing a smile to someone’s day—even in a busy hospital setting. Whether I’m sending out stroke education or just saying hello, I try to make my messages memorable (and a little bit fun!). #BaptistProud (fb)

🐾 The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and ElderSource have launched The Pepper Project — a new public safety initiative to help locate vulnerable individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or autism who may go missing. At the heart of this effort is Pepper, a specially trained bloodhound, and the use of scent preservation kits to aid in search and rescue. Baptist Health provided 700 of these scent kits to support the project and help keep our community safe. We’re #BaptistProud to stand behind this important work being done by JSO and ElderSource! (fb)