Stroke Center

Joint Commission Accredited | Level II Trauma Center | Comprehensive Stroke & Emergency Care for Our Community

When a stroke happens, every second counts.
Vista Health System’s Primary Stroke Center is accredited by The Joint Commission and committed to acting fast when it comes to preventing, diagnosing, and treating strokes. As a Level II Trauma Center, Vista provides advanced, multidisciplinary emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week — ensuring that lifesaving expertise is always close to home.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, cutting off oxygen and nutrients and causing brain cells to die within minutes. Warning signs can include a sudden loss of vision, facial numbness, dizziness, confusion, or a severe headache.
Common risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, genetics, and heart disease.

At Vista, our commitment extends beyond emergency response — we provide continuous guidance and care to help patients manage risk, recover with confidence, and maintain their overall well-being.

Why Choose Vista

Strokes are true medical emergencies — and at Vista Health System, time, teamwork, and technology come together to save lives. Our emergency response and stroke alert teams are trained to respond the moment symptoms appear, providing immediate, coordinated care from diagnosis through recovery.

When you come to Vista’s Primary Stroke Center, you can expect:

Early assessment and rapid response to stroke symptoms
Individualized prevention and treatment plans designed for each patient
Comprehensive diagnostics and evidence-based therapies
Rehabilitation and physical medicine services for long-term recovery
Preventive care coordination through Vista Physician Group (VPG) — connecting patients with primary care and specialty providers to manage stroke risk and support ongoing wellness

A Proven Commitment to Stroke Care

Vista Health System has been recognized by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center since 2007, reflecting nearly two decades of dedication to specialized stroke care for our community.
Our commitment extends beyond emergency intervention — it begins with prevention and continues through recovery. Through Vista Physician Group (VPG), patients receive ongoing support to manage conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, helping to reduce stroke risk and promote long-term health and independence.

Rush TeleStroke Network

Since July 2012, Vista Medical Center East has proudly partnered with the Rush TeleStroke Network and Rush University Medical Center, expanding immediate access to neurological expertise.
Using a TeleStroke robot in our Emergency Department, Vista’s stroke team can connect with an on-call Rush neurologist 24/7 who can see and hear the patient, review vitals and imaging in real time, and guide the treatment plan.
This advanced collaboration ensures that patients receive timely, expert stroke evaluation and care — right here in Waukegan.