Baptist Health Stroke Support Groups Return With New Schedule and Location

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Baptist Health-Fort Smith is bringing back its stroke support group, offering education, encouragement, and community for stroke survivors, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about stroke recovery and prevention. This year’s meetings will feature a new date, time, and location.

Meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at the Marvin Altman Fitness Center, with two exceptions to be held on the second Thursday due to holidays:

• January meeting –– Thursday, January 8
• July meeting –– Thursday, July 9 

The January meeting will feature a special, interactive focus to kick off the new year. Members of Baptist Health’s team will lead a fun, family-friendly activity designed to support cognitive skills such as hand-eye coordination using a soft, pillow-like “hot potato” game that is engaging for all ages. The session will also include a brief educational overview on how to recognize and respond if someone experiences seizure-like activity, offering practical information for both stroke survivors and caregivers.

The stroke support group is designed to support survivors and their families through expert-led discussions and practical education. Monthly topics will include functional mobility exercises, care after a stroke, foods for brain health, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke. Caregivers and community members seeking to better understand stroke are encouraged to attend.

“Baptist Health’s stroke support group provides education, encouragement, and community for stroke survivors and their families,” said Amy Hughes, RN, the stroke lead quality coordinator. “Each month features expert speakers and relevant topics designed to support recovery, promote awareness, and empower those impacted by stroke.”

The meetings are free and open to the public, and no RSVP is required. Participants may also attend virtually by visiting baptist-health.co/StrokeSupport. Those interested in learning more about the monthly seminar can call Amy Hughes at (479) 441-4205.

About Baptist Health

For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. –– with more than 300 points of access that include 12 hospitals, urgent care centers,; a senior living community, over 75 primary and specialty care clinics, a college with studies in nursing and allied health, and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 12,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. Baptist Health is certified as a Great Place to Work and is honored by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Admired Workplaces 2026. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.