Mountainside Hospital Worker Earns ‘Stroke Hero’ Award

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An employee at Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center has been “going above and beyond” her job to raise awareness about strokes… and it’s likely saved lives, hospital administrators say.

Melissa Santoro, stroke coordinator at Mountainside, recently earned the New Jersey Heart and Stroke Hero Award for 2019. According to hospital administrators, Santoro has been educating both staff and patients about stroke awareness, volunteering at community events and “likely saving lives.”

Mountainside administrators offered a social media shout-out about her achievements:

“Melissa organized our first annual Stroke Awareness Day on May 4, 2019, inviting a panel of experts to educate patients about signs and symptoms of stroke, EMS activation, stroke treatment, as well as prevention of recurring stroke. Melissa has not only been an advocate for our medical center, but northern New Jersey, and a significant advocate for the prevention of strokes and well as rapid recognition and cutting edge interventions. Our Stroke Hero, Melissa, has been an integral part of our stroke advances and capabilities at Mountainside, decreasing our time metrics for stroke, as well as advancing our medical center to thrombectomy capable, eliminating the need for transfers, therefore increasing patient outcomes. Melissa is a stroke icon for our local community, and has independently improved stroke outcomes in our patients, while having a permanent smile on her face and truly enjoying her role each day.”

Mountainside administrators continued:

“Our entire Mountainside Family has witnessed the selfless work of Melissa Santoro during her time here at Mountainside. On a daily basis, Melissa goes above and beyond what is asked of her, often volunteering to make a difference. There is no doubt in our minds that due to her tireless efforts, Melissa has not only saved the lives of many stroke patients but single-handedly improved the outcomes of our stroke patients though stroke program awareness, community education and reduced treatment times.”

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