
Like many medical professionals, Dr. Margaret Tremwel has a healthy curiosity for what makes the body tick, particularly between the ears.
“I am fascinated with how the brain works, neurosciences,” she said. “Neurology is one of the few medical specialties that the physician can arrive at a diagnosis just by obtaining a patient’s history of illness and doing a physical exam.”
Educated at the University of Florida medical school with an internship and residency at the university’s Shands Hospital, Tremwel has translated her fascination into an expertise that is renowned nationwide. But as mysterious and complicated as brain conditions may be, Tremwel maintains an astonishingly focused view of her role in treating them.
“My passion in life is to effect positive change in the health of my community,” she said. “The easiest way to do this is to enter a profession that can diagnose and treat disease as well as educate and promote positive lifestyle choices.”
Tremwel executed this mission with Sparks Health System in Fort Smith for more than 12 years during which her duties included chief medical officer and chief qualify officer. Under her direction, Sparks was one of a handful of hospitals in the nation to be accredited as a primary stroke center. This designation put Sparks in a position to influence a network of hospitals as they improved their stroke-care status. Tremwel spearheaded the health system’s telemedicine stroke program to accomplish just that at hospitals within a 50-mile radius.
“I chose vascular neurology because of the advances in stroke prevention and treatment. As a vascular neurologist, I have the opportunity to help a person stop a stroke as it is happening so a person can avoid disability,” she said. “We have research and medications now to help people prevent stroke and dementia. Providing these treatments to our community is what makes my career rewarding.”
Two years ago, Tremwel left Fort Smith and joined Washington Regional Medical System in Fayetteville in the capacity of medical director of the stroke program there.
“I provide leadership for development of protocols for treatment of cerebral vascular disease and participate in various work groups to develop excellence in care for inpatients with neurological disorders,” she said. “I am also a practicing vascular as well as general neurologist caring for patients in the hospital as well as clinic setting.”
Tremwel also works with area hospitals and the local division of the American Heart Association to address stroke and heart disease prevention, stroke treatment and health professional education.
Highlights
Prior to arriving at Washington Regional, Dr. Margaret Tremwel spent more than 12 years at Sparks Health System in Fort Smith during which time her duties included chief medical officer and chief qualify officer. Under her direction, Sparks was one of a handful of hospitals in the nation to be accredited as a primary stroke center. She also spearheaded the medical system’s telemedicine program, which benefits other hospitals and health professionals.
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