A stroke can happen without warning, turning an ordinary day into a life-threating emergency in a matter of seconds.
While anyone can experience a brain attack, the risk increases with age, making it especially important for older adults and their caregivers to recognize the symptoms and understand the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.
More than 795,000 people in the United States experience a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet many people may not recognize the warning signs, potentially delaying critical treatment and increasing the risk of serious complications.
Common symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg; difficulty speaking or understanding speech; confusion; and vision problems. Other warning signs, including a sudden severe headache, dizziness or loss of balance, should not be ignored.
“When it comes to stroke, time is one of the most important factors in determining a patient’s outcome,” says Veronica Olivarez, BSN, RN, Director of Neuroscience for South Texas Health System (STHS). “The longer someone goes without treatment, the greater the risk of serious complications, including difficulty speaking, walking or performing everyday activities.”
While certain risk factors, including age and family history, cannot be changed, others can be managed. Keeping conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes under control can help reduce a person’s risk.
To help older adults and caregivers better understand stroke prevention and the importance of acting quickly, STHS and Prominence Health are once again teaming up to host the CounterSTROKE: Combatting the Threat of Stroke Conference on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the South Texas College Health Science Professions Campus, Building B, in McAllen.
The free event will feature educational seminars in English and Spanish led by STHS healthcare professionals, covering stroke prevention, risk factors, treatment options and the recovery process.
Attendees can also take part in an exercise demonstration led by the STHS Rehabilitation Services Department and a healthy cooking presentation by the STHS McAllen Dietary Department. A community expo will provide information and connect attendees with local resources available to support stroke survivors and their caregivers.
“We want people in our community to have the information and resources they need to take charge of their health,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, STHS. “This conference gives attendees an opportunity to learn directly from healthcare professionals and gain practical knowledge that could one day help save a life.”
Attendees will also have access to level-of-care assessments provided by STHS and participating community partners. Lunch will be provided at no cost. For more information on CounterSTROKE Conference, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. To register, contact Jaylin Barrera-Piña at 956-877-0796 or Jaylin.Barrera@uhsinc.com.
Who: South Texas Health System & Prominence Health
What: CounterSTROKE: Combatting the Threat of Stroke Conference
When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: South Texas College Health Science Professions Campus
Building B
1901 S. McColl Rd.
McAllen, TX 78503
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first dedicated children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Alamo, Edinburg, McAllen, Mission and Weslaco. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About Prominence Health
Prominence Health began in 1993 as a health maintenance organization (HMO) and became of a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) in 2014. They provide coverage to more than 60,000 fully insured, self-funded and Medicare Advantage members throughout Nevada and parts of Texas. Prominence operates seven Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Washington D.C., which are managed care systems that benefit communities by providing coordinated, high-quality care to Medicare patients. For more information about Prominence Health, visit ProminenceHealthPlan.com or ProminenceMedicare.com.
