Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) recently hosted a Stroke Awareness event dedicated to advancing stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery in the region. The event brought together medical professionals, community leaders and hospital staff to share knowledge and celebrate the continuing growth of PMC’s nationally recognized stroke care program.
During the “Meet the Neurology Team” session, Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Medical Director of the PMC Stroke Program, shared insights from his more than 40 years of experience in neurology and introduced the hospital’s expanding team of specialists. Under his leadership, the multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, emergency personnel and rehabilitation professionals, works collaboratively to provide every stroke patient with coordinated, timely and comprehensive care from the moment they arrive in the emergency department through every stage of recovery.
“Every minute matters when it comes to stroke,” said Dr. Ahmed. “Our goal is to deliver the fastest, most effective treatment possible, right here in Pikeville, without patients having to leave their community.”
Dr. Ryan Owens, a neurologist with Pikeville Medical Center, is a native of Floyd County, Kentucky, and is dedicated to advancing neurological care for patients in Eastern Kentucky. During the symposium, Dr. Owens presented “Loop Recorders in Stroke Care,” highlighting how cardiac monitoring devices are transforming stroke prevention by identifying silent heart rhythm abnormalities that can lead to stroke. His presentation underscored PMC’s investment in innovative technologies and early-detection strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes and improve long-term patient outcomes.
Born and raised in Pikeville, Dr. Molly Bates has a deep-rooted passion for serving the people of her hometown and the surrounding Appalachian region. As a PMC Neurologist, she shared her commitment, “Stroke Care Services in Appalachia.” Dr. Bates discussed the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities and emphasized how her connection to the area inspires her dedication to improving access to specialized care. She highlighted PMC’s outreach initiatives, community education efforts and growing telehealth services that are helping bridge healthcare gaps and enable patients across the region to receive stroke care close to home.
Pikeville Medical Center’s Emergency Stroke Services are designed to deliver lifesaving care with speed, precision and expertise. When a patient arrives with stroke symptoms, a highly coordinated team immediately initiates PMC’s streamlined stroke response process, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment within critical time frames. Using advanced imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, physicians can quickly identify the type and severity of a stroke. Simultaneously, neurologists and emergency specialists collaborate in real time to determine the most effective treatment plan, including clot-busting medications or other interventions. Guided by evidence-based protocols and continuous performance monitoring, PMC’s emergency stroke team is committed to providing every patient with the highest standard of care to maximize recovery potential and save lives.
The symposium concluded with Jamie Foley, BSN, RN, Stroke Survivorship Coordinator, who spoke about “Stroke Survivorship.” She shared powerful patient success stories and emphasized the importance of long-term support, rehabilitation and education in the recovery journey. Foley explained that stroke survivorship extends far beyond hospital care, stressing the need to empower patients and their families with the tools and resources they need to rebuild their lives. Through individualized follow-up care, support groups and collaboration with rehabilitation specialists, PMC’s Stroke Survivorship Program helps patients regain strength, confidence and independence while addressing the emotional and physical challenges that can follow a stroke.
“Recovery doesn’t end at discharge,” Foley noted. “Our team guides patients and their families every step of the way, helping them navigate the path toward healing and renewed quality of life.”
Pikeville Medical Center’s Stroke Program is recognized for providing advanced, patient-centered stroke care across all stages from emergency treatment to rehabilitation and survivorship. The program combines the expertise of highly trained neurologists with state-of-the-art technology, including rapid CT and MRI imaging, administration of clot-busting medication and continuous cardiac monitoring.
Commitment to Excellence in Stroke Care
Through its Primary Stroke Center certification and commitment to ongoing education, Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) continues to elevate the standard of care for patients throughout the Appalachian region. Central to this mission is PMC’s state-of-the-art Diagnostic Center, equipped with the latest imaging technology to enhance patient care and improve outcomes. Many diagnostic tests, including advanced imaging studies, can now be performed on weekends, making care more accessible and timelier for patients.
At the Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center, neurologists play a critical role in diagnosing and treating conditions of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. PMC neurologists, Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Dr. Molly Bates, and Dr. Ryan Owens, collaborate closely with neurosurgeons, radiologists, physical therapists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive, coordinated care. The neurology team sees patients in Pikeville, Prestonsburg, South Williamson, and Whitesburg, ensuring expert neurological care is available across the region. They use advanced diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and next-generation computed tomography (CT) scanners to capture high-resolution images that guide precise treatment decisions.
One of the most common conditions treated by PMC neurologists is stroke, often called a “brain attack.” Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, causing damage to critical brain tissue. To rapidly identify and treat strokes, PMC integrates cutting-edge AI technology via Viz.ai, which is directly linked to its advanced CT scanners. This system enables neurologists to detect suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes almost immediately. In many cases, specialists can review detailed images on their smartphones while the patient remains in the CT scanner, allowing treatment to begin without delay.
Beyond stroke care, PMC neurologists also diagnose and treat degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, using advanced imaging and diagnostic technologies to tailor treatment to each patient’s needs.
By combining new scanning equipment and technology with a highly skilled care team and the added convenience of many diagnostic tests available on weekends, PMC’s Diagnostic Center sets a new standard for neurological care in Eastern Kentucky, delivering rapid, precise, and life-saving interventions for patients and families throughout the region.
For more information on advanced neurology care at PMC, visit www.pmcky.org/stroke-center/ or call 606-430-2208