Today, there are more than 640 primary stroke centers certified by The Joint Commission (a private non-profit organization that provides certification programs for health care organizations, including hospitals) operating in 49 states and the District of Columbia, said Jean Range, The Joint Commission executive director of Disease-Specific Care Certification. Stroke, that is an acute situation is treated byEMT’s and physicians in the emergency room. However, “stroke specialists” don’t exist, because days after the stroke, the patient begins rehabilitative care.