Our Stroke Centers

Stroke and Neurovascular Center at JFK University Medical Center

Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Get the Right Stroke Treatment Faster

• 24/7 coverage by our rapid-response stroke team comprised of a nurse practitioner or R.N. and a neurologist to ensure that treatment begins as soon as possible
• Access to medication that can be administered within the three-hour window
• 24/7 access to comprehensive diagnostic equipment including laboratory testing and CT Scan

Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of stroke

• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness, balance problems, or difficulty walking
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden vision changes
• Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body

Stroke Risk Factors

• Diabetes
• Gender (Stroke is more common in men)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• If you are over the age 55
• Obesity/poor diet
• Personal or family history of stroke or heart disease
• Physical inactivity
• Race (African Americans are twice as likely to die from stroke than Caucasians)
• Smoking

Stroke Treatment

• Hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, including intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
• Ischemic stroke, caused by a clot blocking blood flow to the brain. We deliver emergency clot-busting treatments, like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy, faster than the national standard, giving you the best chance of a full recovery.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini-stroke, a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes stroke-like symptoms. If you have a mini-stroke, it may be a warning sign that a stroke is coming – and our experts can help you lower that risk.

Recognized for Our Stroke Expertise

• Hackensack University Medical Center, JFK University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center are designated Comprehensive Stroke Centers by the Joint Commission, which is the highest level of certification for hospitals equipped to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases. 

• Nine of our regional hospitals are nationally-accredited as Primary Stroke Centers by the Joint Commission: Bayshore Medical Center; Mountainside Medical Center; Ocean University Medical Center; Old Bridge Medical Center; Packsack Valley Medical Center; Palisades Medical Center; Raritan Bay Medical Center; Riverview Medical Center; and Southern Ocean Medical Center.

• Twelve hospitals and medical centers received 2021 Gold Plus Get with the Guidelines—Stroke awards from the American Heart Association.

• Jersey Shore University Medical Center received America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award four years in a row (2020-2023) from Healthgrades.
• JFK University Medical Center received America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award in 2022 and 2023.
• Hackensack University Medical Center received the Stroke Care Excellence Award in 2023 from Healthgrades.