BELFAST — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital welcomes Larry Phillips, RN, as the hospital’s first full-time stroke coordinator. The addition of this role to the hospital care team marks an important milestone in advancing stroke and neurovascular care for the community.

Bringing this position to MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is a pivotal step as the hospital works toward Acute Stroke Ready certification from The Joint Commission, a nationally recognized nonprofit that provides the highest national standards for safe, high-quality stroke care in partnership with the American Heart Association. Certification signifies that a hospital follows evidence-based protocols and provides timely treatment, resulting in fewer complications, reduced mortality and improved long-term outcomes.

As Stroke Coordinator, Phillips will lead the development and implementation of stroke care protocols, oversee education, and guide the hospital team through the certification process to become an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.

“Working toward stroke certification isn’t about changing the excellent care that we already provide,” he said. “It’s about building a system—tracking cases, analyzing data and continually improving outcomes.”

The hospital already utilizes the MaineHealth Telestroke Network, a vital 24/7 resource that connects local clinicians with MaineHealth neurologists through video conferencing and electronic transmission of CT scans. The Telestroke Network supports rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment, helping patients receive timely, expert care close to home.

Phillips has begun reviewing data from the 33 stroke patients treated earlier this year at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital and looks forward to enhanced processes and improved patient outcomes, strengthening the hospital’s role as a trusted resource for emergency stroke treatment. He is optimistic that the hospital will achieve stroke-ready certification within a year.

“Stroke used to mean a debilitating outcome,” he said. “But if you know the signs, get to the hospital fast and receive proper treatment, there’s real hope. People can return to their lives with a sense of normalcy.”

At a time when stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the primary cause of long-term disability both nationally and globally, Phillip’s leadership is vital. Backed by more than 20 years of experience in emergency medical services, fire rescue and nursing, he brings a strong foundation in prehospital and emergency stroke care to his role.

Phillips began his career in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. In 2004, he became a certified paramedic, followed by response efforts during major disasters and leadership roles as field officer and rescue lieutenant. In 2017, Phillips became a registered nurse and later served as charge nurse in a 49-bed emergency department at a Level II trauma center, a facility equipped to provide 24-hour immediate care for a broad range of traumatic injuries.

“Larry brings a unique and essential perspective from both EMS and emergency nursing,” said Eileen Hawkins, MSN, RN, stroke program coordinator at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, MHWH’s sister hospital. MHPBH has been a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center since 2007. “He is used to working in fast-paced environments where recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms quickly is critical. His experience will be instrumental as we move toward stroke certification.”

To learn more about stroke care at MaineHealth, visit mainehealth.org/stroke.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough.

MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.