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  1. Home
  2. Locations
  3. Baptist Medical Center South
  4. With stroke, an experienced, coordinated team makes all the difference

With stroke, an experienced, coordinated team makes all the difference

Valarie Sturgeon, 47, was at her work computer when a headache she had for the past week became so excruciating she couldn’t shake it. She became so overwrought with pain and disoriented that all she could say repeatedly was, “My head hurts.”

Fortunately, two coworkers realized she was acting strangely so they called 911. EMTs arrived quickly and took her down the elevator in her rolling work chair. “I remember being outside briefly before blacking out,” Valarie said.

She was rushed by ambulance to the emergency room at Baptist South. “Valarie was experiencing weakness on her right side, confusion and a severe headache. I knew hemorrhagic stroke was a strong possibility,” said Marc Farraye, MD, who ordered a CT scan.

“I didn’t know anything about strokes. I was just this professional career-minded woman,” she said. “This was a warning sign for me to slow down.”

The scan confirmed that Valarie was suffering from a critical brain bleed. “It was obvious she needed a neurovascular surgeon immediately,” Dr. Farraye said. As part of the team at Baptist’s new regional Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center, Dr. Farraye knew the protocol for a rapid patient transfer.

In a single time-saving phone call, Dr. Farraye was able to convey details to the neurovascular surgeon, alert the stroke team and arrange for immediate Life Flight transport to Baptist Jacksonville.

“To stabilize her condition, we administered an antiseizure drug, along with medications to control her blood pressure and help prevent further bleeding,” Dr. Farraye explained.

In less than an hour, Valarie had gone from Dr. Farraye’s expert care to the care of internationally renowned neurovascular surgeons Ricardo Hanel, MD, PhD, and Eric Sauvageau, MD, who lead Baptist Health’s Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center.

Valarie’s brain bleed was due to a ruptured brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation), an abnormal tangle of arteries and veins, which in her case led to a hemorrhagic stroke.

Because of the size of the bleed, Drs. Hanel and Sauvageau performed an open surgery and removed the malformation with the aid of a high-powered operative microscope. Special care was given to every detail, including ensuring her hair was not shaved.

“Dr. Hanel said he was going to make it look like nothing had ever happened to me. The bedside manner of this man is just unbelievable,” Valarie said. “He told my husband he was going to treat me just like his wife or daughter. They made me feel like I was at home.

“If it had not been for the quick action of the medical team at Baptist South, I would not have arrived in time to have the surgery I needed. Everyone worked together in lock-step.” Valarie said. “We are so grateful.”

With stroke, an experienced, coordinated team makes all the difference photo

Related Pages

  • Baptist Medical Center South

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  • South

    • Baptist Medical Center South

      14550 Old St. Augustine Road
      Interstate 95 Exit 335
      Jacksonville, FL 32258

      Get directions to this location:
      GO

      904.271.6000

      Services

      • Emergency Care

      • Heart & Vascular Care

      • Maternal & Newborn Care

      • Medical Imaging

      • Orthopedics

      • Rehabilitation Services

      • Women's Care

      Phone Directory

      • 904.271.6001

      • 904.271.6040

      • 904.271.6933

      • 904.271.6690

      • 904.202.2273

      • 904.202.2273

      • 904.271.6078

      • 904.271.6000

      Hospitalists at this location:

      • Kelvin Bray, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Vijaya Chalamalasetty, MD
        Hospitalist

      • John Chauvin, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Melissa Cortes, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Yojana Dange, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Diana Figueroa, DO
        Hospitalist

      • Shilpa Goli, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Jamie Johnson, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Reuben Maggard, MD
        Hospitalist (Internist)

      • Carlos Rojas, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Mat Vasquez, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Barry Wright, MD
        Hospitalist

      • Tahir Yunus, MD
        Hospitalist

      Hospital Statistics:

      • Beds: 245
      • Admissions: 14,339
      • Outpatient Visits: 67,792
      • Inpatient Surgeries: 2,167
      • Outpatient Surgeries: 5,057
      • Births: 2,624
      • Employees: 1,227
      • Emergency Room Visits: 60,631

      Classes and Events: ( At this location )

      Family and Friends CPR Class

      • Dec 14
      • Jan 04
      • Feb 01

      Maternity Suite Tour - 5:15 PM

      • Dec 16
      • Dec 18

      Maternity Suite Tour - 6:00 PM

      • Dec 16
      • Dec 18

      Maternity Suite Tour - 5:30 PM

      • Jan 06
      • Jan 08
      • Jan 20
      • Jan 22
      • Feb 03
      • Feb 05
      • Feb 17
      • Feb 19
      • Mar 02
      • Mar 04
      • Mar 16
      • Mar 18
      • Apr 06
      • Apr 08
      • Apr 20
      • Apr 22

      Maternity Suite Tour - 6:15 PM

      • Jan 06
      • Jan 08
      • Jan 20
      • Jan 22
      • Feb 03
      • Feb 05
      • Feb 17
      • Feb 19

      Breastfeeding 101 Class

      • Dec 17
      • Jan 15
      • Feb 26

      Breastfeeding Support Group

      • Dec 18
      • Jan 14
      • Jan 22
      • Feb 11
      • Feb 26
      • Mar 10
      • Mar 25
      • Apr 14
      • Apr 22
      • May 12
      • May 27
      • Jun 09
      • Jun 24
      • Jul 14
      • Jul 22
      • Aug 11
      • Aug 26
      • Sep 08
      • Sep 23
      • Oct 13
      • Oct 28
      • Nov 10
      • Nov 25
      • Dec 08
      • Dec 23

      Early Pregnancy

      • Jan 11

      Childbirth Preparation - 1 Saturday Class

      • Jan 18
      • Feb 08

      Childbirth Preparation - 2 Evening Classes

      • Feb 05

      Baby Care Basics - 2 Evening Classes

      • Jan 23
      • Mar 05

      Sibling Class - 10:00 AM

      • Feb 15

      Natural Childbirth Techniques

      • Feb 25

      Bariatric Seminar

      • Apr 09

      Bariatric Seminar

      • Oct 08
  • Outpatient Information

    • Baptist Medical Center South

      14550 Old St. Augustine Road
      Interstate 95 Exit 335
      Jacksonville FL, 32258

      Get directions to this location:
      GO

      904.271.6000

        • Wound Care

        • MRI

        • Mammography

        • Medical Imaging

        • Cardiac Testing

        • HeartWise Screening

        • Rehabilitation (Adult)

        • Sleep Center

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