“In recognition of your humanitarian spirit and swift action in a medical emergency.”
So reads the dedication on the Community Health Care Hero Award presented to John Comparoni, a transit driver in Northern Oakland County whose recognition of stroke symptoms in his passenger potentially saved her life.
On the morning of March 20, John was transporting Lindalee from her appointment at McLaren Oxford. Soon into the trip, John noticed sudden changes in Lindalee’s behavior — slouching over to one side and not being as talkative as she had just been.
Thinking these symptoms looked like those of a stroke, John quickly returned to McLaren Oxford, this time to the entrance of the emergency department.
In a medical emergency during which time is critical, Lindalee was diagnosed quickly as experiencing an acute stroke — a disruption of blood flow in the brain, often caused by a blood clot.
Able to immediately administer a clot-busting medication, the team at the freestanding McLaren Oxford emergency department arranged for her transfer to McLaren Flint, a comprehensive stroke center capable of performing an interventional procedure to remove the stroke-causing blood clot.
Lindalee recovered and was able to be safely discharged back home following a two-day stay in the hospital. Hers was a recovery aided by the timely recognition of her symptoms and John’s actions to connect her with the care she required.
Learn more about the stroke care capabilities at McLaren Oxford and McLaren Oakland, part of the McLaren Stroke Network, at mclaren.org/stroke.