Memorial Neuroscience Center
Testimonial - Jorge
Brain Attack Program Saves Lives
Swift Treatment By Highly Trained Physicians Makes All the Difference
August 2001 — Jorge will never forget the summer day when his life changed forever. Like most days in Florida in August, it was hot and humid. Jorge, a 45-year-old international sales manager for a beverage company, had been feeling tired for several days, but didn't think too much of it. “My body was trying to send me a message,” says Jorge. “But I wasn't paying attention.”
He ignored his fatigue and headed out to an electronics store with a friend. At the store, he finally got the message his body had been trying to send. “I thought I had just fainted,” says Jorge. “But when I came to and tried to take a drink of water, it kept dribbling out of my mouth.”
The store manager called 911. Within minutes, emergency personnel arrived. They evaluated Jorge for several conditions, including stroke, also known as a brain attack. “They asked me to follow their fingers with my eyes,” says Jorge. “Based on my reaction, they knew right away it might be a stroke issue.” Jorge was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where a stroke alert had been issued. The Memorial Brain Attack Team leapt into action, calling in Hoang Duong, MD, Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at the hospital. Dr. Duong administered a stroke treatment medication called t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator).
Jorge has learned from his frightening experience. “That day I quit smoking,” says Jorge. “I eat better and I exercise more.”
Luckily for Jorge, all the right things happened that day in August. He received prompt medical attention from alert personnel trained in brain attack protocols. A specially trained physician was available to give stroke treatment medication within the ideal timeframe.
At Memorial Healthcare System, we want every stroke victim to be as fortunate as Jorge, which is why we created the Brain Attack Program at Memorial Regional Hospital. “Time is brain,” says Harvey Schwartz, MD, Chief of Neuroscience, Memorial Regional Hospital.
“Time is brain,” says Harvey Schwartz, MD, Chief of Neuroscience, Memorial Regional Hospital. “It's essential that brain attack victims are treated properly, and soon after the attack occurs. Our Brain Attack Team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
If you would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.