NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS THAT WORK. Happy New Year! Looking forward to the next 12 months may bring about hopes of new beginnings, the potential to do better, and perhaps the resolve to tackle both new and existing aspirations. According to Forbes magazine, whether you call them resolutions, goals or a to-do list, only 8% of people accomplish their annual goals. But whether you’ve decided to lose weight, stop smoking or earn more money, there are several steps to take to achieve success: Keep it simple: Start with small, attainable goals for the entire year. Instead of creating a bucket list, choose two or three goals to accomplish. Make it tangible: Set goals that are tangible. Instead of planning to lose weight, prepare to lose a certain amount of weight within a specific period. Make it obvious: Keep track of your goals and progress in a format that you can see daily. Also, enlist your family or friends to assist with holding you accountable. Believe you can do it: To achieve, you must believe. You have as much willpower as you think you have, essentially. Whatever you resolve to accomplish this year, you have accomplished much more in years past. Prepare to overcome obstacles: One of the lessons learned from 2020 is to prepare for the unexpected. You may encounter barriers, temporary or long-term, that throw you off track at some point in the year. Or you may abandon one or more resolutions for one reason or another. In these instances, it is essential to be aware of your thoughts and feelings. · Stay active and get enough rest. · Eat well and drink sensibly. · Keep in touch with supportive, caring people. · Find ways to relax at home or on a trip. · Help others by volunteering your talent, time or treasure. · Do something that maximizes your talents. · Accept who you are. · Talk about your feelings with friends or family or mental health professional. The truth is, creating a list of goals won’t bring you any closer to achieving them. But creating realistic goals, establishing a plan, and monitoring your progress may lead to success. No matter the time of year, remember to take it day by day and take care of yourself. Bruce Trimble, MA, APR, is the director of business development for The BridgeWay Hospital, a psychiatric facility for children, adolescents and adults in North Little Rock. An avid mental health advocate, Trimble was appointed to the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Council in 2015 and served as co-chair from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he was instrumental in establishing a call center for the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Hotline.
54 DECEMBER 2021
ARKANSAS TIMES
UAMS: PROVEN LEADER IN STROKE CARE. Expertise and specialized care is always on standby.
As the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers vital resources in the event of a potential stroke when time is of the essence. Grant Irwin of Cabot is among those who have come to appreciate UAMS’ around-the-clock access to stroke expertise and specialized care. Irwin had his first stroke in 2010. So he recognized the symptoms when, at about 8 p.m. July 13, he suddenly lost the ability to control his hand movements. A look in the mirror showed that his facial muscles also weren’t working properly. Within the hour, he had arrived at UAMS, where employees activated an acute stroke code. He quickly received clot-busting tPA treatment and was admitted to the neuro intensive care unit. When he was discharged a day and a half later with no lasting effects of the stroke, he described his treatment as “efficiency in the midst of amazing chaos,” adding, “I am very grateful for their speed — it made a big difference for me.” The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recognized that high level of care in September. For the seventh consecutive year, the UAMS stroke program received a Gold Plus Achievement Award for demonstrating its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. The UAMS stroke program also was named to the Honor Roll Elite for administering crucial medication to stroke patients within an hour of their arrival at least 85% of the time. More recently, UAMS was honored by Healthgrades, a leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems, with the 2022 Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award™, which places UAMS in the top 10% nationally. UAMS was also named a Five-Star Recipient of its Specialty Excellence Awards for both treatment of stroke and cranial neurosurgery. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 31 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. In June, UAMS received its recertification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations in the United States. The certification is the most demanding stroke certification and is designed for those hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases. UAMS is fortunate to have Central Arkansas’s only board-certified vascular neurologists who specialize in stroke and cerebrovascular disorders of the brain and are experts in preventing and reducing complications and disability from stroke. It is UAMS’ multidisciplinary team approach and commitment to providing expert, cutting-edge care that has allowed for its proven stroke leadership in the region. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times. Learn the BE FAST warning signs — the sudden onset of difficulty with Balance, Eyes, Face Drooping, Arm Weakness and Speech Difficulty, which means it’s time to call 911.
Special Advertising Supplement of the Arkansas Times
