Florida Stroke Registry Receives Record $2 Million State Funding to Improve Stroke Care
The Florida Stroke Registry, coordinated by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has received a record $2 million state appropriation to strengthen stroke prevention, treatment, recovery and research efforts across Florida.
The Florida Stroke Registry (FSR), a statewide initiative founded in 2012 by and coordinated by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, recently received a $2 million state appropriation, marking the largest funding award in the registry’s history. The increased funding, formally presented by Rep. Omar Blanco and co-sponsored by Sen. Gayle Harrell, represents a growing state investment in the Florida Stroke Registry’s efforts to improve stroke prevention, treatment and recovery for all Floridians.
The Florida Stroke Registry was enacted into state law in 2017 and is overseen by the Florida Department of Health. It collects data from 194 Florida hospitals, collaborates with more than 650 stroke care stakeholders across the state and serves all Florida residents.
“Being a firefighter-paramedic for over 20 years, it’s gratifying to see what happens beyond the 9-1-1 call,” said Rep. Blanco. “Learning about the great work FSR has done made it easy to get behind this mission. There’s a real reputation for excellence at the university and within this team, and I hope this is just the beginning of a strong relationship. Improving outcomes is what we’re all after.”
Why This Matters
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of disability and death, making rapid diagnosis and treatment critical to preserving brain function and improving recovery.
The Florida Stroke Registry brings together hospitals, emergency medical services agencies, researchers, public health organizations and community partners to identify gaps in care and implement proven strategies that improve outcomes statewide.
The record $2 million state appropriation will help strengthen the registry’s data infrastructure, expand research and education initiatives, and support the continued development of one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide stroke improvement programs.
A Statewide Investment in Better Stroke Care
According to Florida Stroke Registry leaders, the latest appropriation reflects the state’s continued confidence in a program that has evolved far beyond a traditional disease registry.
“Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in adults and one of the most significant health challenges facing our communities,” said Jose Romano, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at the Miller School and executive director of the Florida Stroke Registry. “Improving stroke outcomes requires an efficient, coordinated system of care. The Florida Stroke Registry brings together hospitals, EMS agencies, public health partners and communities to identify opportunities for improvement and create solutions that save lives and reduce disability.”
The Florida Stroke Registry was founded in 2012 under the leadership of renowned stroke neurologist Dr. Ralph Sacco as a National Institutes of Health-funded initiative focused on reducing disparities in stroke care. In 2017, Florida lawmakers recognized its importance by establishing the registry in state statute and requiring stroke centers throughout Florida to participate. The record appropriation continues a tradition of legislative support. Harrell and Blanco are longtime advocates for stroke prevention and improved neurological care in Florida.
Building One of the Nation’s Most Comprehensive Stroke Registries
Today, the registry serves as one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide stroke improvement programs.
The new funding will support critical infrastructure, including the registry’s data systems and analytic capabilities that enable the program to link data across the phases of care and establish a comprehensive, longitudinal timeline while enabling advanced predictive modeling. Registry leaders say the investment also will help expand educational programs, support research initiatives and strengthen quality improvement efforts throughout the state.
The impact of those efforts is already visible. One of the registry’s most notable achievements has been improving the speed in which stroke patients receive clot-busting medication after arriving at the hospital. Registry leaders reported that the percentage of eligible patients receiving treatment within 45 minutes of arrival increased from 13% in 2012 to 89% in 2025.
Using Data to Drive Faster Stroke Treatment and Better Outcomes
The Florida Stroke Registry tracks acute stroke performance, and the data shows Florida as an emerging national leader in delivering ultra-rapid care. Nearly half of eligible stroke patients in Florida now receive treatment within 30 minutes of arriving at a hospital, a rate substantially higher than national benchmarks, according to registry officials.
These advances are driven by a continuous cycle of data review, transparent reporting, education and collaboration, leaders say. Through annual stakeholder meetings, regional local stroke coalitions, quality improvement forums and educational initiatives, the registry helps hospitals and emergency responders share best practices and implement proven strategies for improving care.
“People hear the words ‘stroke registry’ and think only about data collection,” said Carolina Gutierrez, Ph.D., assistant research professor in the Department of Neurology at the Miller School and associate director of the Florida Stroke Registry. “What makes the Florida Stroke Registry unique is that we’re able to transform that data into meaningful action through education, quality improvement initiatives, research and collaboration across the state.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Florida Stroke Registry receive $2 million in state funding?
What is the Florida Stroke Registry?
How will the new funding be used?
How extensive is the registry’s statewide network?
How has stroke care improved in Florida?
Today, the Florida Stroke Registry works with more than 250 EMS agencies, supports 12 regional local stroke coalitions and engages hundreds of stakeholders statewide. The program also collaborates closely with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Hospital Association, American Heart Association, Florida Community Health Worker Coalition and numerous community partners.
Registry leaders emphasize that the increased state appropriation reflects not only the value of collecting data, but the importance of using that information to drive meaningful change.
“This funding allows us to continue building the infrastructure that makes all of this possible,” Dr. Gutierrez said. “The data are important, but what matters most is what we do with that data to improve care for Floridians and support the people and families affected by stroke.”
Expanding Research, Education and Collaboration
As the Florida Stroke Registry enters its next phase of growth, leaders hope the program will continue serving as a national example of how collaboration, research and data-driven quality improvement can strengthen stroke systems of care and improve outcomes for patients across an entire state.
“The Florida Stroke Registry demonstrates what is possible when a state makes a sustained commitment to improving health outcomes,” said Dr. Romano. “Florida’s investment has helped build one of the nation’s most comprehensive stroke systems of care, bringing together hospitals, EMS agencies, public health leaders and communities around a shared mission. The result is not only faster treatment times and better quality of care, but a stronger statewide infrastructure capable of advancing stroke prevention, treatment, recovery and research for millions of Floridians for years to come.”
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Dr. Dileep Yavagal earns a Lifetime Achievement Award at AAN 2026 for advancing mechanical thrombectomy and equitable stroke care worldwide.
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Tags: Department of Neurology, Dr. Carolina Gutierrez, Dr. Jose Romano, Florida Stroke Registry, neurology, neuroscience, stroke