When Justine Abrams started working as the stroke program coordinator at Shands at UF in 2006, she said she had about 530 patients that were discharged with a stroke diagnosis.
Last year, the center had more than 700 stroke patients.
The Agency for Health Care Administration designated Shands at UF as a Comprehensive Stroke Center in early September, recognizing its commitment to stroke care and research.
"People in our community have state-of-the-art technology right at their back door," Abram said.
Shands at UF is one of 15 AHCA-certified stroke centers in the state and the only one in north central Florida.
This designation lasts two years, and at the end of the time period the center will have to be recertified.
Florida is part of what Abram called the "stroke belt," a region of 12 states with higher incidents of stroke and a 10 percent higher death rate than the rest of the country.
The designation also honors Shands at UF's use of advanced technology and therapeutics for acute stroke patients.
As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, neurosurgeons are prepared to mechanically remove blood clots from the brain in the event of a stroke, Abram said.
With stroke being the third-leading cause of death in the nation, according to the American Stroke Association, Abram sees the designation as a victory for Gainesville.
"I think the biggest benefit is to the patients," Abram said. "It's the ability to offer better outcomes for patient's life; it's the ability to offer this technology to our community."
