Life-Saving Stroke Care 24/7 – Close to Home 

 When George Peabody suddenly experienced distorted vision, slurred speech, and arm weakness, he stepped off his exercise bike and called for his wife. Recognizing the signs of a stroke, she called 911. Within five minutes, a town ambulance arrived at their Acton home, and the EMTs notified Emerson’s Emergency Department (ED) to prepare for life-saving care. This seamless coordination among first responders and Emerson’s ED saves lives every day.   

Speed is critical in stroke care, and Emerson’s team acted fast. At the hospital, the stroke team, including neurologists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), assessed George right away. “Based on my vitals, imaging, and exam, they diagnosed me with a stroke and gave me tPA, the clot-busting medication,” recalls George. Within an hour, his speech returned, and soon after, his other symptoms resolved.  

An outdoor adventurer and music-lover, George is back to enjoying an active life. (Design note: pull quote) “Everything worked flawlessly. One of the great benefits of living in this area is having Emerson’s expertise nearby,” he shares. George’s experience highlights the importance of receiving expert care quickly during a medical emergency. Research shows that fast, skilled treatment leads to better outcomes and fewer long-term complications. 

Patients from across the region turn to Emerson for the expert care George’s family has relied on for generations. “The community can rest assured they are in expert hands—without having to travel far for life-saving care,” said Claire Carrazco, DO, Medical Director of Emerson Health’s Stroke Program. 
 

Award-Winning Stroke Care Team

Emerson’s stroke care team has received top accolades for outstanding care, including: 

• Advanced Stroke Certification by The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association 

• Top awards from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for excellence in stroke treatment 

• Primary Stroke Center designation by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recognizing Emerson’s expertise in rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment 

Through the Massachusetts General Hospital TeleStroke program, physicians and patients in Emerson’s ED have immediate access to top neurologists via telemedicine 24/7.  This ensures rapid diagnosis and treatment, giving patients the best chance of recovery.
 

Signs of Stroke – Think BE-FAST

Recognizing stroke symptoms and acting BE-FAST saves lives. If you or someone you know experiences any of these, call 911 immediately: 

• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, or difficulty walking. 

• E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, including blurred or double vision. 

• F – Face drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb. Ask the person to smile and check if it’s uneven. 

• A – Arm weakness: One arm may feel weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms; one may drift downward. 

• S – Speech difficulty: Speech may be slurred or hard to understand. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. 

• T – Time to call 911: Every second counts. 
   

Additional signs include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, and sudden severe headache with no known cause.