 Shelby Township Fire Department hosts inaugural Stroke Prevention Town Hall
The Shelby Township Senior Center became a hub of information and empowerment as the Shelby Township Fire Department hosted its inaugural Stroke Prevention Town Hall May 8.
The event, held at the Shelby Township Activities Center at 14975 21 Mile Road, brought together a diverse panel of experts and community members to shed light on stroke prevention and survival strategies.
"Today marks a significant step forward in our community's journey toward better health and well-being," said Township Trustee John Vermeulen, who spearheaded the event. "By coming together to discuss stroke awareness, we're not just raising awareness; we're equipping our community with the knowledge and resources needed to protect themselves and their loved ones."
Alongside Trustee Vermeulen were stroke team surgeons, Dr. Mahmoud Rayes and Dr. Aniel Majjhoo, from McLaren Macomb Hospital, Shelby Township Fire Department executive staff and Shelby Township Senior Center staff.
Throughout the event, attendees gained valuable insights into improving their chances of avoiding or surviving strokes. The panelists discussed various approaches, ranging from lifestyle adjustments to accessing essential services tailored to the senior community. The growing partnership between the Shelby Township Fire Department and hospital systems such as McLaren Macomb was at the core of the discussions.
“Great EMS services,” Dr. Rayes said of the Shelby Township Fire Department. “I’ve been going around talking with them, and these guys are spot on. You are lucky to have them.”
A highlight of the town hall was the engaging Q&A session, where attendees could interact directly with the experts. Questions flowed freely, and participants left with a deeper understanding of stroke-related issues. Among the issues covered were improving healthy lifestyles through diet, quitting smoking and getting active to prevent strokes.
“What a wonderful facility,” Dr. Majjhoo said of the Shelby Township Activities Center and Senior Center programs. "I walked in and saw exercising first thing in the morning. It looks like a wonderful facility. Pickleball is picking up, and these are wonderful activities to stay active multiple times a week."
While this event marked its first occurrence, plans are underway to establish it as an annual tradition. Collaboration between the Shelby Township Fire Department, Shelby Township Senior Center and McLaren Macomb aims to make the town hall a fixture during American Stroke Month.
“I’m thrilled to see the impact of this inaugural town hall and am already looking forward to next year's event,” Fire Chief Frank Pierce said. “It's heartening to witness our community coming together to prioritize health and safety.”
The event's success wouldn't have been possible without the support of the Shelby Township Community Relations Department, which helped organize and promote the town hall. For those who missed the event or wish to revisit the presentations, a partial rebroadcast will be available from Shelby TV on youtube.com/shelbytownshiptv.
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