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Stroke Smart Michigan Champion Partners: Businesses (Private, Commercial Enterprises)
Stroke Smart Michigan: Program Overview and Steps Required to Become a Business Stroke Champion
Stroke Smart Michigan is a statewide initiative led by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Michigan Stroke Program (MiSP). The program partners with various types of organizations including businesses across Michigan to increase stroke awareness, improve rapid response to stroke symptoms and reduce stroke-related illness and death. Businesses, as key community and workforce partners, can play a critical role in equipping employees and customers with life-saving knowledge.
Why This Work Matters
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in Michigan. After decades of decline, stroke mortality has risen since 2013 and continues to exceed the national rate. Many communities experience a high burden of stroke risk factors and need accessible, practical and culturally relevant education. Businesses have a trusted relationship with employees and customers and are uniquely positioned to help reverse these trends through workplace outreach, education and support.
Program Goals
Stroke Smart Michigan aims to:
- Increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke.
- Improve readiness to recognize and respond quickly.
- Promote prevention and cardiovascular health.
- Reduce disparities through focused outreach.
- Build sustainable partnerships to improve community health.
Business Participation Criteria
To become a Stroke Smart Business, the organization will:
- Appoint a Stroke Champion to serve as the primary program contact.
- Complete Stroke Preparedness Training through MDHHS.
- Coordinate at least one annual stroke screening event, offering education, risk assessment and connections to community resources.
- Distribute approved educational materials on stroke prevention and preparedness.
- Steps to complete these criteria can be found below.
Benefits of Participation
Businesses that meet Stroke Smart criteria:
- Equip employees and customers with life-saving stroke literacy.
- Strengthen workplace and community readiness and reduce delays in seeking emergency care.
- Connect employees and community members to prevention and recovery resources.
- Demonstrate leadership and commitment to workforce and community health.
Recognition reflects a commitment to awareness and education, not clinical certification.
Building a Healthier Michigan Together
Through partnerships with county health departments, local organizations and community leaders, Stroke Smart Michigan expands effective, evidence-based approaches statewide. By engaging businesses, the program helps ensure that every Michigan resident, whether at work, home, or in the community, has the knowledge to Spot a Stroke, Stop a Stroke and Save a Life.
Steps to Become a Recognized Stroke Smart Business
- Designate a Stroke Champion responsible for overseeing the program, including coordination with MDHHS to host stroke education events.
- Complete the Stroke Smart Michigan Partner Interest Form (URL: www.surveymonkey.com/r/StrokeSmartInterestForm) to initiate the recognition process.

- Ensure the Stroke Champion completes the MDHHS BE FAST Stroke Preparedness Training. The Michigan Stroke Program team will work with your organization's Stroke Champion to identify a date and time to complete the training.
- Display posters/other materials in high traffic areas within the business. Stroke Smart materials are available on the Stroke Smart Michigan Resources page.
- Coordinate with MDHHS and local stroke prevention groups to host at least one stroke awareness event annually at the business.* The event should:
- Educate participants on how to identify a stroke and the importance of early EMS activation.
- Assess individual stroke risks and provide guidance on reducing risks.
- Screen for social determinants of health and connect participants with appropriate community-based resources.
- Distribute approved stroke awareness materials to participants.
Once steps 1-5 are finished, submit the Stroke Smart Michigan Partner Completion Form (URL: www.surveymonkey.com/r/StrokeSmartCompletionForm). This will allow MDHHS to verify the completion of the criteria and to recognize your organization as Stroke Smart.
*Note: Various public health and nursing organizations partner with Stroke Smart Michigan to provide free onsite stroke screenings. Hosting these events will require that the Stroke Champion from the organization assists in coordinating the site location and event date and time with MDHHS Stroke Team staff.
For more information on the Stroke Smart Michigan Program or for assistance, visit Stroke Smart Michigan (URL: www.michigan.gov/StrokeSmart) or contact MDHHS-Stroke@Michigan.gov.
