Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
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Long Beach, CA
Permit No. 2041
1509 Wilson Terrace
Glendale, CA 91206
GLENDALE ADVENT IST MEDICAL CENTER’S COMMUNI TY CONNECT ION
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sually, West Covina resident Peter Hsu would be
at home on a Sunday afternoon. But on Jan. 4, Peter
and his wife, Shirley, were visiting their daughter
and grandchildren who live 25 miles away in Glen-
dale, California. Ready to take his family to China-
town for dinner, Peter began to feel uncomfortable.
“We were ready to go and I couldn’t get up,” explains Peter, who
instantly knew he was having a stroke. “My mother had a stroke and I
was familiar with the signs and symptoms.”
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly disrupted.
This can happen when a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel prevents
oxygen and blood from reaching the brain. Brain cells quickly die when
they are starved of oxygen and nutrients.
Peter’s son-in-law, who had worked as a paramedic, confirmed that
Peter’s symptoms indicated a stroke. Jumping into action, Peter’s family
called 911. The paramedics rushed Peter to the nearest hospital, Glen-
dale Adventist Medical Center (GAMC), which was newly designated
as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) and was an existing Advanced
Primary Stroke Center. When Peter reached the hospital, he was met
with a stroke care team prepared for his arrival.
GETTING RAPID TREATMENT
“Peter came to us in critical condition—
he was experiencing significant left side weakness and trouble with his
speech,” recalls Anthony Cardillo, MD, emergency department physi-
cian responding as part of the stroke alert emergency response team.
“It was important for us to treat Peter quickly, especially since we know
that for every minute you are having a stroke, about 2 million brain
cells are lost.”
GAMC has recently been certified as a CSC by DNVGL Healthcare USA,
Inc., making it the first hospital in the state of California to be awarded the
title. The hospital accreditation organization has some of the most rigorous
Your hospital is a
Comprehensive Stroke Center
Survival among stroke patients treated at Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs)
is generally higher compared with patients treated at non-stroke centers or primary
stroke centers. The CSC certification means that Glendale Adventist Medical Center is
capable of treating the most complex stroke cases. GAMC is also an Advanced Primary
Stroke Center. GAMC uses the latest imaging and endovascular technology, the most
up-to-date research guidelines and the skills and expertise of the entire stroke team to
ensure the best outcome for the most complex stroke cases. For more information on
our advanced stroke care, visit us at
AdventistHealth.org/Glendale/Neuro.
Source: American Heart Association
Every week Peter heads to
the golf course to regain his
swing—a goal he had for him-
self after the stroke. Peter is
now back at work and hitting
120 yards. He hopes to make it
back to his pre-stroke distance
of 180 yards.
LIFESAVING STROKE CARE,
RIGHT ON TIME
—Continued on next page
Patient’s life saved by California’s first
DNV GL-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center