Beating the Clock to Save the Brain

"Just at the time Dr. Martino said I would, I began to get some feeling back," says Bill Ferguson of his recovery from stroke at Jersey Shore.

As a longtime New York Giants fan, Bill Ferguson, 72, of Ocean Grove had just settled in to watch the last game of the season when he started to lose feeling on his left side. Thinking it was just "pins and needles," Bill tried to reposition himself only to find it impossible to move. His wife Ruthann quickly called 911 and with the prompt response by the first aid squad, he arrived at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in a matter of minutes.

When he arrived, Bill was met by the Jersey Shore Stroke Center team, including Stephen J. Martino, M.D., a board certified neurologist and medical director of the Jersey Shore Stroke Center. Dr. Martino is also the Stroke Program director at Ocean Medical Center.

Dr. Martino and the team administered TPA, a clot-busting medication that, when given within three hours of the onset of symptoms, can start to reverse the effects of the stroke.

"Once I knew it was a stroke, I remember I thought there was no way I would recover," says Bill. "But Dr. Martino was right about my recovery almost to the minute — just at the time he said I would, I began to get some feeling back." Because of Bill and his wife's quick response in seeking treatment — and the stroke team's quick action in diagnosing and treating the stroke — Bill's prognosis was good and he was back home within a week.

"When it comes to stroke, every second counts," says Dr. Martino. "It's something we can't stress enough. If you experience any symptoms, call 911 immediately and get to a hospital, preferably one that's a designated stroke center with the resources and expertise to get you the right treatment quickly."

For residents in Monmouth and Ocean counties, that expertise is available at Meridian Health, the region's leader in stroke care. Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the first state-designated comprehensive stroke center in Monmouth and Ocean counties — and one of only 12 in New Jersey. The Jersey Shore Stroke Center also has received the Gold Performance Achievement Award by the American Stroke Association, and it was the first hospital in the region to be certified with the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, the nation's largest and oldest accreditation agency in health care.

Ocean Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center are also among the first state-designated primary stroke centers in the region and are recipients of the Silver Performance Achievement by the American Stroke Association.

All three Meridian stroke centers have 24-hour rapid response teams specially trained in stroke diagnosis and treatment.

"I felt like I had a really great team on my side from start to finish," says Bill. "And it didn't hurt that many of the nurses were also Giants fans."

– Michael Valentino

About The Doctor

Martino, Stephen J., M.D. Board certified in Neurology Neptune, NJ  07753 (732) 774-8282