Physical Therapy student Abbey Kroll wins honor; organizing stroke workshops in Greater Boston a key contribution

Community outreach and education surrounding stroke prevention is a big part of what the Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery at the MGH Institute is about, and it’s a big takeaway for graduate assistant Abbey Kroll, who has been working at the Center for the past year. 

“I think that early education and prevention is key,” said Kroll, a second-year physical therapy student. “Throughout our stroke workshops, we've recognized how much misinformation is out there, and being able to set that record straight has been really important. Just educating people, no matter their education levels, has been the biggest takeaway.” 

Kroll’s efforts at the Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery is the reason she was awarded the Tedy's Team Center Student Impact Award during yesterday’s student leadership awards ceremony in Shouse. 

This is the first year the award has been given and honors a student who's made an outstanding contribution to stroke prevention and recovery, one who demonstrates leadership skills and a commitment to improving the lives of people who have had a stroke. Kroll fit the bill. 

“Abbey has been amazing,” said Gwen Larsen, Education and Community Outreach Coordinator for Tedy's Team Center of Excellence. “She has taken a lot of initiative and gone above and beyond to support the work of the center. What I found valuable is the student perspective, enthusiasm, and creativity she bring to our community education efforts.”

Those efforts have taken Kroll around Greater Boston to organize workshops on stroke education, the signs of stroke, and how to prevent stroke. She has played a key role in organizing sessions in Charlestown, Chelsea, Roxbury, and the North End, among others, as well as providing educational material. 

“I think what Gwen and the rest of the Tedy’s Team Center has done for the Boston community has been such a great experience for me to be a part of,” noted Kroll. “I have learned how I can implement patient education into my future practice as a physical therapist.”

The Center of Excellence was made possible thanks to a $1 million gift by Tedy’s Team, the charitable entity that uses running as a platform for stroke awareness and philanthropy. It was co-founded by former New England Patriot great Tedy Bruschi and his wife Heidi after Tedy suffered a stroke at the age of 31. Through his rehabilitation, Bruschi made a stunning return to professional football. The Bruschis are hoping fellow stroke survivors being assisted at the MGH Institute will have the same opportunity for a comeback as Tedy received.

Built on the pillars of community outreach, research, and rehabilitation, the center provides education on warning signs of stroke, supports research on stroke and recovery, and leverages pro bono rehabilitation care through the IMPACT clinical centers for stroke survivors.

An important part of the Center’s success has been, Kroll, the graduate assistant is looking to make a difference. Mission accomplished. 

“It's been a great learning experience for me,” said Kroll. “But it’s also been a wonderful experience advocating for people in the stroke survivor community.”

“Abbey has been a key part of the center over the past year,” concluded Larsen. “This award reflects her contributions and recognizes her potential as a future healthcare leader.” 

Read about the other student awardees here. 

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