Combs named ‘You’re the Cure Legislator of the Year’ by American Heart Association

The American Heart Association named Representative Leslie Combs its “You’re the Cure Legislator of the Year” for her sponsorship of House Bill 467, which establishes a statewide hospital-based stroke registry.
 

This state-level award is given annually to a policy maker who demonstrates a commitment to improving the cardiovascular health of Kentuckians. Utilizing data submitted by Certified Primary Stroke Centers, the registry will serve as a mechanism for evaluating, monitoring and improving stroke care in the state. The legislation was based on a successful pilot project overseen by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Task Force.
 

Representative Combs received the award during the Stroke Symposium hosted by Pikeville Medical Center at Jenny Wiley State Park.
 

“Without Representative Leslie Combs’ dedication and hard work with House Bill 467, establishing a statewide stroke registry would not have been possible,” said Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Chief of Staff and Medical Director of Pikeville Medical’s Primary Stroke Center. “This is good for Kentucky; this is good for stroke care.”
 

“Representative Combs more than deserves this award,” said Julie Brackett, vice president of advocacy for the American Heart Association’s Great Rivers Affiliate. “This was an example of exactly the kind of leadership we need to improve stroke care in this state.”
 

Stroke is the No. 5 killer in Kentucky, and No. 4 nationally. There are two types—hemorrhagic, or bleeding in the brain, and ischemic, blockage of a blood vessel to the brain. In both cases, there is an interruption of oxygenated blood to the brain, causing cells to die.
 

For more information on cardiovascular disease and stroke, visit the American Heart Association’s web site at yourethecure.org.