County Clerk Mickey Kearns and Mercy Hospital Team Up To Offer Free Stroke Prevention Screenings

Screenings kicked off at Downtown Buffalo Auto Bureau on September 26

Up to 50% of strokes occur without warning. Stroke is the #2 cause of death in the world. The rate of stroke death in Erie County is higher than the national average and is 60% higher than the NYS average.

To help combat these alarming statistics, Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo have teamed up to offer free stroke prevention screenings at select auto bureaus across Erie County leading up to World Stroke Day on October 29. The Auto Bureau Stroke Prevention Screening Program is part of the “Clerk’s Wellness Collaborative.” As part of this effort, Catholic Health clinicians will be offering free carotid artery screenings – a painless, non-invasive test that uses ultrasound technology to detect blockages in the two large blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Blockages in these arteries account for up to 75% of strokes and can be treated. The screenings are free, confidential and open to the public and employees of the Clerk’s office.

This unique wellness initiative through the auto bureaus began last February when Clerk Kearns and Mercy Hospital partnered to offer free blood pressure screenings at various auto bureau locations throughout the month. Over 200 residents of our community were screened and 38% were found to have high blood pressure and were consulted to seek treatment.

“The concept of being able to receive a mini health checkup while stopping by your local auto bureau is non-traditional and unique, that’s why I think it will be useful,” said Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns. “The ways in which members of our community receive healthcare information are changing. We must be pervasive and expose people to health information where they would not typically be exposed to it. As a point in the community where a high number of people regularly visit, the auto bureaus are key places to start this wellness initiative. I want to thank Catholic Health Mercy Hospital of Buffalo for their proactive efforts to bring these free health screenings to the community.”

“Our goal as one of the largest hospitals serving the Buffalo region and a partner in this Auto Bureau Stroke Prevention Screening program is to help make our community healthier by reducing the prevalence of heart disease and stroke,” said C.J. Urlaub, President and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “Mercy Hospital, as with other hospitals across the country, are going beyond our traditional role of caring for the sick and beginning to focus more on keeping people healthy through collaborative efforts with other community organizations.”

The Auto Bureau Stroke Prevention Screening program kicked off on Wednesday, September 26 at the Downtown Buffalo Auto Bureau on Pearl Street.

Upcoming screenings will be held from 9 am to 1 pm at the following locations:

September 27:                    Northtown/Sheridan Plaza Auto Bureau

October 2:                           Eastern Hills Mall, Williamsville/Clarence Auto Bureau

October 3:                           Cheektowaga Auto Bureau

October 10:                         Eggert Road, Tonawanda Auto Bureau

October 11:                         Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park Auto Bureau