- Men's Health, Stroke Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne year after suffering a stroke, 47-year-old Ray Torreon says the AAMC Stroke Club has played an important role in helping him recover from and learn to adjust to life after stroke. At those early stroke club meetings . . . I didn’t intend to, but I broke down and cried. The support I got from them lifted my spirits, gave me hope. That’s what the stroke club does. The volunteers that run it from the hospital are a great resource and the educational topics are helpful in terms of learning about stroke, about medication, therapy, the division of rehab services and what’s out there as far as getting a job. But as important as that it, the fellowship of having people who have been on this same journey is what I needed. Other stroke patients understand how alienating and isolating it is— how alone you are even if you have people around you. Everyone’s stroke is different, but everyone in the stroke club has been depressed and has lost things and doesn’t know what the future holds for them. I was a Capitol Hill lobbyist. I was a sales person running a 12 million dollar store. My speech was my trade and someone listening to me now might say my speech is fine, but I’m struggling because I don’t have the fluency I once had. I have never in my entire life struggled for words. I could sell ice cream to Eskimos. I don’t feel that way now. Other stroke patients understand that. Even as everyone else says, “Oh, you look good, or you sound fine,” the stroke patient inwardly shakes his or her head and thinks, “No, I don’t feel fine.” I’m not recovered fully. I have deficits and even though I appear fine to you, I feel sad that I’ve lost some abilities that I know I used to have.” You mourn for the person you were. In the stroke club you come to realize that they’ve had the same journey. There are people with severe aphasia. There are people who were in a wheelchair in the beginning and now they’re walking with a cane or a walker. That’s good to see. Over time, we’ve sort of developed a core group, and we want to expand this to really touch as many other stroke patients as possible. We’re looking for active members and we’re planning more activities outside the stroke club just to socialize and help people along the path to finding a new life. A stroke literally blows up your life, and you have to put the pieces back together. The other members of the stroke club and I would like to help survivors put their lives back together more quickly than they can alone. To learn more about the Stroke Support Group contact Laurie Neely, physical therapist, or Jennifer Irving, speech-language pathologist or by phone: 443-481-6872. Visit our askAAMC to find out more about the support groups and services we offer to all members of our community.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Stroke Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne year after suffering a stroke, 47-year-old Ray Torreon says the AAMC Stroke Club has played an important role in helping him recover from and learn to adjust to life after stroke. At those early stroke club meetings . . . I didn’t intend to, but I broke down and cried. The support I got from them lifted my spirits, gave me hope. That’s what the stroke club does. The volunteers that run it from the hospital are a great resource and the educational topics are helpful in terms of learning about stroke, about medication, therapy, the division of rehab services and what’s out there as far as getting a job. But as important as that it, the fellowship of having people who have been on this same journey is what I needed. Other stroke patients understand how alienating and isolating it is— how alone you are even if you have people around you. Everyone’s stroke is different, but everyone in the stroke club has been depressed and has lost things and doesn’t know what the future holds for them. I was a Capitol Hill lobbyist. I was a sales person running a 12 million dollar store. My speech was my trade and someone listening to me now might say my speech is fine, but I’m struggling because I don’t have the fluency I once had. I have never in my entire life struggled for words. I could sell ice cream to Eskimos. I don’t feel that way now. Other stroke patients understand that. Even as everyone else says, “Oh, you look good, or you sound fine,” the stroke patient inwardly shakes his or her head and thinks, “No, I don’t feel fine.” I’m not recovered fully. I have deficits and even though I appear fine to you, I feel sad that I’ve lost some abilities that I know I used to have.” You mourn for the person you were. In the stroke club you come to realize that they’ve had the same journey. There are people with severe aphasia. There are people who were in a wheelchair in the beginning and now they’re walking with a cane or a walker. That’s good to see. Over time, we’ve sort of developed a core group, and we want to expand this to really touch as many other stroke patients as possible. We’re looking for active members and we’re planning more activities outside the stroke club just to socialize and help people along the path to finding a new life. A stroke literally blows up your life, and you have to put the pieces back together. The other members of the stroke club and I would like to help survivors put their lives back together more quickly than they can alone. To learn more about the Stroke Support Group contact Laurie Neely, physical therapist, or Jennifer Irving, speech-language pathologist or by phone: 443-481-6872. Visit our askAAMC to find out more about the support groups and services we offer to all members of our community.
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is among an elite group of hospitals recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for meeting the highest quality standards for treating patients who suffer severe heart attacks. AAMC has achieved the AHA’s Mission: Lifeline® Silver Plus STEMI Receiving Award and Bronze NSTEMI Award. This year, AAMC was also recognized by the AHA and American Stroke Association (ASA) for meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. AAMC earned the AHA/ASA Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite. AAMC qualified for these awards by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment in these medical emergencies. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level and duration. “For heart attack and stroke patients, quick actions can save lives,” says Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of Cardiovascular Services at AAMC. “These emergencies require seamless coordination with our Anne Arundel County partners in the Emergency Medical Services Division — a team of top-notch emergency technicians — as well as multiple departments within the hospital. We are proud to say that we have extremely efficient systems, and we are pleased to be recognized for our commitment to delivering advanced heart attack and stroke care quickly and safely.” Services for stroke, heart attack patients Hospitals that meet AHA/ASA quality standards not only know the importance of treating quickly and safely, but they also follow evidence-based research that helps to determine why a patient had a heart attack or stroke in the first place. To learn more about AAMC’s stroke services, visit www.askAAMC.org/stroke, and for more information about AAMC’s heart services, visit www.askAAMC.org/heart.
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe recently received the Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA)—the highest award given to stroke programs nationally. The award is part of the AHA’s “Get with the Guidelines” program for improving stroke care by promoting the latest scientific treatment guidelines. This award recognizes 85 percent compliance with seven achievement measures for 24 consecutive months or more, and 75 percent compliance with five or more quality measures for 12 consecutive months. For stroke patients, quick actions save lives and reduce long-term disabilities. Our stroke care team is trained to identify stroke symptoms early, so patients are treated efficiently and effectively, and given the best chances for recovery. In addition to the Gold Plus award, we received the “Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus” status for administering clot-busting therapy within 60 minutes in 75 percent or more of ischemic stroke patients and achieving a door-to-needle time of 45 minutes or less in 50 percent of acute ischemic stroke patients. Most hospitals that implement “Get With The Guidelines” see measurable results, including improved patient outcomes and fewer recurring events.
- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s Power of 2 Peer Mentorship Program matches recent stroke survivors with mentors who have also survived a stroke. After completing a training program, mentors work with recent stroke survivors. Mentors give survivors an opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges and confront emotions. They offer encouragement, hope and understanding. To learn more, call 443-481-4585.
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?