Your Stories: Promoting Stroke Awareness at Springfield AHL Game
January 21, 2026Categories: Events
Members of Trinity Health Of New England's Regional Stroke and Rehabilitation Programs attended the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey game on January 9, using the opportunity to interact with fans and promote stroke awareness and education.
Members of Trinity Health Of New England's Regional Stroke and Rehabilitation Programs. (Left to right) Patti Henault, Cheryl Hansen, Paige McCullough-Casciano, Gina Waltos, Annie McCollum, Dumarier Clarke, and Erin Grosnick.
As part of the fifth annual Stroke Awareness Night, colleagues provided information about the warning signs of stroke, how to reduce an individual's risk of stroke, BE FAST (the acronym for stroke signs and symptoms), and the importance of calling 9-1-1 at the first signs of stroke. The team educated approximately 250 patrons in the community at this event.
Stroke survivors and their families participated in the event with an exclusive "High-Five Tunnel" experience with the Thunderbird players prior to the game. Attendees also had a chance to win an autographed Thunderbirds jersey after spinning a wheel to answer a question about stroke.
We are grateful for the collaboration with the Springfield Thunderbirds in helping us spread the word about Stroke Awareness and BE FAST.
Submitted by Annie McCollum, OTR/L, Clinical Quality Improvement Coordinator, Mercy Medical Center.
Have a story you want to share? Submit your story at TrinityHealthOfNE.org/YourStories.
Regional Stroke Coordinators Cheryl Hansen, Dumarier Clarke, and Patti Henault.
Trinity Health Of New England’s Gina Waltos educating young fans about strokes.
Stroke survivors and their families in the High Five Tunnel before the Thunderbirds game.