Gwinnett Medical Center and Partnership Gwinnett Present Timely Message on Stroke Awareness Quarterly health council breakfast addresses risks and resources for stroke LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., (May 9, 2011) – Gwinnett Medical Center and Partnership Gwinnett, the community and economic development initiative led by the Gwinnett Chamber, hosted their second health forum series event on May 6. The breakfast program, Stroke: Every Second Counts, drew in more than 130 business and community members.  Highlights from the breakfast event included a number of educational booths focused on healthy habits and stroke education. Attendees walked away with free heart smart items, including pedometers and water bottles. The first 100 registrants also received free tickets to the Gwinnett Braves or Georgia Force.  “Gwinnett Medical Center is committed to transforming healthcare in our community, and that starts with educating our community about health and wellness,” said Dolores Ware, director of Marketing & Community Relations at GMC. “The community response and increasing event attendance is confirmation of the public’s interest in healthcare education, which is at the forefront of our mission at GMC.” The program focused on signs and symptoms of stroke, including risk factors and types of strokes. The event also highlighted local healthy heart resources, including: GMC’s Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center, Glancy Rehabilitation Center, Brain & Spine Institute, Center for Neuroscience and the future Heart & Vascular Center.  “Healthcare is a backbone industry for communities across the nation,” said Nick Masino, VP of economic development & Partnership Gwinnett, Gwinnett Chamber. “Through partnership with Gwinnett Medical on these quarterly Healthcare Forums, we hope to strengthen this vital industry’s existing foundation in our community while working to provide relevant and timely information on the issues we face in healthcare today.” Gwinnett Technical College and Georgia United Credit served as event sponsors along with breakfast sponsor Garden Plaza at Lawrenceville.