May is American Stroke Month 

For more than a century, the American Heart Association® has been committed to helping people live longer, healthier lives. This May, we are expanding that mission with curated toolkits with robust professional and patient stroke related education. We will also be offering a continuing education activity to provide additional stroke-focused learning for you and your teams.
May is American stroke awareness month

Resources From the Heart

Utilize these tools to engage with your internal teams and patients during the month of May. Looking for more ways to get involved? Explore our quality improvement and research opportunities below!  

Stroke Month Toolkit
for Hospitals


Download resources for your organization's American Stroke Month programming.
Download Toolkit

Celebrate Your Team

Show your appreciation for the stroke champions in your organization by distributing these "Stroke Champion" pins!
Buy Now

The American Heart Association Second Annual Virtual Stroke Forum

Advancing Practice and Empowering Optimal Outcomes - A Continuing Education Activity

The American Heart Association® is proud to present our second annual Virtual Stroke Forum event. Join leading experts in stroke care for a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to improve your patient care across the full spectrum of stroke presentations. This accredited conference delivers the latest updates in the 2026 Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines, complex case discussions, emerging research insights, and practical strategies you can apply immediately. Whether you manage adult, pediatric or high-risk stroke populations, this program equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to advance patient outcomes.


Brain outlined by vegetables

Wednesday, May 6| 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CT

Join Us for A Multi-Session Agenda: 

• Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines 2026: Top Ten Things to Know!
• Stroke & Pregnancy Clinical Challenges
• Pediatric Stroke: Not Just Tiny Adults
• Post Stroke Aphasia: Communication Strategies for the Non-Speech Language Pathologist
• OPTIMISTmain Trial: Science to Implementation
• aSAH Management and Approaches to Referral and Treatment

Why Attend?

Get the Latest 2026 Acute Ischemic Stroke Guideline Updates
Strengthen Clinical Expertise Across Complex and Underserved Populations
Improve Communication and Care for Post Stroke Patients
Translate Research Into Practice—Including OPTIMISTmain Results
Advance Skills in High Risk, High Complexity Stroke Emergencies

Live Webinar: Women and AFib

Women and AFIb

Wednesday, May 7| 11:00 - 12:00 pm CT

Please join Annabelle Santos Volgman, MD for a presentation about the diagnosis, treatment, and health impact of atrial fibrillation in women. Dr Santos Volgman is the co-founder of Rush Heart Center for Women and the Chief of Research and Academic Affairs in the Division of Cardiology.

REGISTER FOR WOMEN AND AFIB

Live Webinar: Optimize Your Practice with American Heart Association Resources

Resources

Thursday, May 15| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CT

Join us for an informative discussion of American Heart Association and American Stroke Association resources to enrich your professional practice and optimize the care provided in your community. Our AHA staff will be giving an overview of Get With The Guidelines® certifications, ASA resources, membership opportunities, and the OutPace CVD and Target BP programs. 

REGISTER FOR OPTIMIZE YOUR PRACTICE WITH AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RESOURCES(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)

Live Webinar: Digital Health Professional Training & Certification

Telemedicine

Thursday, May 22 | 1:00 pm CT

Learn about the AHA's Digital Health Professional Training Program and newly launched Digital Health in Cardiac Care Certification to empower providers with essential digital health knowledge and practice skills. Followed by Q&A and general office hours time to ask your questions as you prepare for certification.


REGISTER FOR DIGITAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & CERTIFICATION (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)

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Virtual Stroke Forum - Advancing Practice and Empowering Optimal Outcomes

Brain

Is a Continuing Education Activity - $30 

Join us for the enduring event from last October's virtual forum. If you missed it, this is your opportunity to attend and receive continuing education credits.  Open to all professionals involved in stroke patient management & stroke systems of care from pre-hospital through recovery. 

The maximum number of hours awarded for this on demand CE activity is 5.50 credit hours and 0.55 CEUs for occupational therapists.  This program expires March 13, 2028.

Public-Facing Resources
& F.A.S.T. Materials

When it comes to spotting stroke and getting help, the faster, the better. Share these F.A.S.T. resources with patients and family to spread awareness, position as a leader, and better equip your community.

Download Free Resources

Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehab Certification

The American Heart Association proudly introduces the newest certification for Skilled Nursing Facilities to strengthen stroke systems of care.

The Stroke Rehabilitation Certification establishes a framework to evaluate facilities based on American Heart Association scientific guidelines for stroke care and is designed to improve readmission rates for referring hospitals.

Learn More About SNF Stroke Rehab Certification

Professional Certification

The Certified Professional by the American Heart Association (CPAHA) program helps professionals elevate their careers while building toward a more advanced system of care for patients.

About Telehealth Stroke

About Stroke Hospital Certification

Learn More About Professional Certification

Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke

Following evidence-based guidelines improves outcomes. These tools and resources make it easier to provide consistent quality care.
Learn More about Get With The Guidelines
female doctor standing in a clinic with other healthcare professionals
Image of a country road with road sign saying "Hospital"

Connect with Rural Hospitals for Model Sharing & More

Join the American Heart Association's Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator for access to programs and resources custom-tailored to improve patient care in rural settings. Participation is FREE and includes:

Access to the Rural Community Network: Learn from peer hospitals across the country, including model sharing, online networking and poster presentations:

No-Cost Access to Get With The Guidelines Programs: Participating hospitals can enroll in stroke, coronary artery disease and/or heart failure programs, including eligibility for recognition and awards:

Educational Toolkits & Resources: Shipped to your door, receive professional & patient resources:

Enroll before June 30, 2025

Learn More About Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator

Join the Conversation

Use #AHAstrokemonth to celebrate achievements in quality stroke care across the country.