Rapid Stroke Response Leads to a Remarkable Recovery
Recognizing Signs of a Stroke
One summer day, a call changed everything for Robert and Allyson Bailey. When Allyson saw her retired teacher husband struggling to talk to their daughter-in-law, she sensed something was wrong.
The left side of his face drooped. He had lost control of the left side of his body. Allyson, chief executive of a South Jersey nursing facility, quickly told their son on the call: “Dad is having a stroke.”
Stroke Response — When Every Second Matters
She called 911. Emergency Medical Services arrived quickly. Robert was rushed to Inspira Medical Center Elmer, an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital. Upon arrival, they were met by a well-prepared team.
The E.R. nurse, Julie Ziegler, immediately called a stroke protocol and took Robert for a C.T. scan. For Allyson, seeing her husband as a patient was nerve-wracking, but she found reassurance in the team’s compassionate professionalism. “They were caring for Robert and also checking in on me,” she said. Seth Baruffi, M.D., the E.R. doctor, calmly explained each step of Robert’s care as regular updates.
Neurosurgeon
Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience
Integrated Care — From E.R. to Stroke Recovery
The C.T. scan confirmed a large blood clot. Moving quickly, Robert was airlifted to Cooper University’s Comprehensive Stroke Center for emergency surgery. “They explained exactly what was happening and moved seamlessly — there was no second-guessing,” Allyson said.
At Cooper, Ajith Thomas, M.D., performed a thrombectomy, safely clearing the blood clot. Robert’s recovery was almost immediate.
Today, Robert is back to living life with his wife and family. “I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m totally recovered from the stroke.”
Allyson agrees, crediting the Inspira and Cooper teams. “The whole process was seamless. The teams at Inspira and Cooper were both amazing.”
Stroke Survivor — Back to Living Life
If you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms, every second matters. Cooper and Inspira’s Stroke Program delivers top care for stroke diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Their team approach guarantees swift, compassionate care for every patient.
