It’s rare for people to get to thank the emergency medical personnel who provided their lifesaving care, but that’s what happened for 73-year-old Leonard Bechtold of Jupiter Farms. He returned to Jupiter Medical Center on Friday, May 17, to meet the paramedics and the hospital’s stroke team members whose quick response and expertise were instrumental in his survival and recovery.
Bechtold suffered a massive stroke at his home on March 15. His wife, Sharon, recognized the droop on the side of his face and his distorted speech and immediately called 911. A five-member Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue team responded and rushed him to Jupiter Medical Center, where Dr. Jeffrey Miller, co-medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center, removed a blood clot from his brain in a procedure known as a thrombectomy. Within two weeks of surgery, Bechtold was back home with his wife and singing the praises of his medical team.
“The connection between the paramedics and the emergency room—and the stroke team being ready so quickly—is what saved my life,” he said. “This success story that we have is your success story, and I’m incredibly thankful. We are very lucky to have a comprehensive stroke center in Jupiter.”
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue protocols require that ambulances take stroke patients to a comprehensive stroke center for treatment. If Bechtold had his stroke just six months earlier, EMS would have transported him from Jupiter Farms all the way to West Palm Beach, at that time the closest city with a comprehensive stroke center.A $5 million gift from an anonymous donor, enabled Jupiter Medical Center to acquire the technology and recruit the medical experts necessary to gain designation as a comprehensive stroke center in January 2019. The typical patient could lose up to 2 million brain cells every minute that a stroke is left untreated. Having a comprehensive stroke center closer to home gives stroke patients a greater chance for survival and recovery.
“The advanced capabilities we have today at Jupiter Medical Center gives patients in northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin County the best possible chance for a full recovery,” said Joanne Miller, interim co-CEO of Jupiter Medical Center. “Statistics show we are making a difference. From January to April 2019, EMS has transported 76 stroke cases to our medical center.”
Awarded by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the comprehensive stroke center designation ensures that Jupiter Medical Center has the most advanced facilities, technology and specially trained physicians to improve patient outcomes in the most complex stroke cases. Jupiter Medical Center is the only hospital in northern Palm Beach County and in Martin County to achieve designation as a comprehensive stroke center.Returning to Jupiter Medical Center was a gratifying experience for Bechtold and his family. During the reunion, which took place in the hospital’s Calcagnini Center for Mindfulness, Bechtold joined Jupiter Medical Center in recognizing his emergency medical team, including Paramedic David Lincoln; Captain John Bradley, IV; Paramedic Edward Bauries; Lieutenant Vicki Donechie, and Driver/operator Vincent Depascale. Dr. Jeffrey Miller, co-medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center; Dr. Jennifer Buczyner, co-medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center; and Lisa Hanusin, stroke coordinator, were also recognized. The hospital also paid tribute to Bechtold’s wife, Sharon, for her quick, decisive action in calling 911.
“We are celebrating you for knowing the signs of stroke,” Miller said before presenting Sharon Bechtold with a bouquet of flowers. “Your quick action made the difference in your husband’s survival and his quality of life.”
