Our Mission
At Shine A Light On Stroke, our mission is to raise awareness, provide support, and reduce financial burdens for stroke survivors and their caregivers in Delaware. Through compassion, education, and community collaboration, we strive to create lasting change and build a more inclusive and empowered future for all affected by stroke. Founded in 2024, we are a dedicated team of volunteers, advocates, and professionals who believe in creating lasting change.
We work tirelessly to address the lack of support for this population, by focusing on sustainable solutions that uplift and empower individuals as well as the community. Through partnerships with local businesses and other nonprofits, we strive to make a tangible impact. Our goal is to assist any and all individuals who have been negatively impacted by stroke, in reducing their financial burdens due to out of pockets expenses that insurance hasn’t covered.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do:
Compassion, Education, Prevention, Empowerment, and Inclusivity.
Thank you for joining us on this journey to make a difference by shedding a light on this important cause. Together we can build a healthier future for all.
Meet our Cofounders:
“The Bridgets”
Bridget Callahan and Bridget DiMaio met working at a local hospital. They bonded over their love for treating patients who had sustained a stroke. What began as co-treatments reintegrating their patients into the community, blossomed into creating a 5k to bring awareness to and celebrate stroke recovery. They enjoy taking a fun twist on social media trends to educate the younger generations about the risk factors of stroke (check out their Instagram account!).
Board Of Directors
Bridget Callahan OTR/L, ATP, ATC: Executive Director and Secretary
Bridget is a certified Occupational Therapist with over 9 years of experience providing care across the continuum—from acute care and inpatient rehabilitation to outpatient therapy. She currently practices at ChristianaCare, where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of neurological and orthopedic conditions. She holds advanced certifications in several evidence-based treatment approaches, including LSVT BIG (Parkins Disease) and ATP (Assistive Technology Professional). Her background is in Athletic Training, and she enjoys volunteering her time for various organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Boston Marathon Para Division.
Fun Fact: Her favorite pastime is traveling. She has visited 27/50 states and 10 countries so far!
Bridget DiMaio M.A. CCC-SLP: Executive Director and Treasurer
Bridget is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 11 years of experience providing care across the continuum—from acute care and inpatient rehabilitation to outpatient therapy, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. She currently practices at ChristianaCare, where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders following stroke and other neurological conditions. She holds advanced certifications in several evidence-based treatment approaches, including SPEAK OUT!, VitalStim, MDTP (McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program), MBSImP (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile), and Lingraphica AAC systems. Her passion lies in empowering stroke survivors and their families through skilled intervention, advocacy, and community outreach.
Fun Fact: She has run 20+ half marathons, two Olympic triathlons, and one marathon. She has a special place in her heart for running!
Dr. Kim Gannon, MD, PhD, FAHA: Dr. Gannon earned her M.D. and Ph.D., in Physiology and Biophysics from University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her research was funded by the National Institute of Health-National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, and American Heart Association. Dr. Gannon has presented nationally and contributed to articles in peer-reviewed publications, including the American Journal of Physiology. She completed her Neurology Residency and Vascular Neurology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gannon is the recipient of research recognition and scholarship awards, including induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and designation as a Fellow of the American Heart Association. Dr. Gannon has an academic appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.
Dr. Gannon currently serves as physician executive for the Neurosciences Service Line at ChristianaCare, a four hospital healthcare system in Delaware and Maryland where she is accountable for the neurohospitalist, stroke team, NeuroCritical Care, NeuroInterventional Surgery, and Neurosurgery physicians. She serves as Division Chief of Neurology where she leads quality, safety and performance initiatives for the division, as well as coordinating Neurosciences Grand Rounds. She is Medical Director for the Stroke program, which encompasses Comprehensive Stroke Center at Newark Campus, Primary Stroke Center at Wilmington Campus, Acute Stroke Ready Hospital at Middletown campus Emergency Department in Delaware. Dr. Gannon spearheaded the expansion of tele-stroke coverage across the system, and a campaign to reduce door to needle time to less than 30 minutes on all Delaware campuses. She has worked with EMS and state police to improve pre-hospital management of stroke and continue to improve treatment times.
