QUOTE GALLERY
Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D., MPH
Dean of the University of Kansas School of Health Profession
“I became interested in young stroke when I met the Founder & Chief Executive of YoungStroke, Amy Edmunds, at the 8th World Stroke Congress in Brasilia, Brazil in 2012. After the meeting, I visited the website of YoungStroke, Inc. to learn more about the organization. I have remained fascinated by the achievements of the organization and its impact on health care for young stroke survivors.
Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because the rate of stroke among young individuals, especially in the United Sates, is rising. Resolving the issues about young stroke is very important to prevent, adequately manage, and assist survivors to effectively cope with the associated difficulties.”
Benjamin Brown, MD
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
“The first patient I treated out of fellowship was a 21 year old female with a cervical dissection and an acute stroke. This case brought into perspective the unique challenges faced by young people with stroke. It has been a rewarding experience working with this patient as she has worked to accomplish her goals in recovery. When I had the opportunity to be involved with YoungStroke, I jumped at the chance to be involved.“
Cheryl D. Bushnell, MD, MHS
Director of the Wake Forest Baptist Stroke Center Education, Associate Professor, Neurology
“I became interested in young stroke when I was in Neurology Residency. The causes of stroke in the young are very different than the average age, and requires a whole different list of possible tests and treatments in this population.
Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because it appears that I am treating more and more young people with strokes, especially those with early onset high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. We need to target stroke prevention and awareness in young people, because if we don’t, we will have a large population of disabled people.”
Benjamin Eidleman, MD
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
“My interest in stroke dates back to the early years of my career when I was involved in research on cerebral blood flow regulatory mechanisms. This research in essence directed my clinical career, with stroke as its main focus. While stroke is perceived disease of the elderly, over the years it has become apparent that there are many young individuals who suffer from strokes. This observation has motivated my interest in young stroke… as a stroke researcher, I understand that the physiological mechanisms important in recovery of young stroke patients have distinctions from those for treating acute stork in olders patients.”
Sunita Dodani, MD, PhD
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
“I became interested in young stroke when I learned about the disease burden in terms of mobility and mortality that was shocking. Stroke is preventable especially in the young population who are our future!
Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because this is the most productive group for the nation and loss of this group in terms of disability is immense that no nation can afford!”
Edward C. Jauch, MD, MS
Director, Division of Emergency Medicine Professor, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina
“I became interested in young stroke when I lost a close relative at the age of 28 to stroke before I was a physician. Like many, I had never considered stroke could occur at such a young age. Later on, this loss as well as seeing stroke in other young individuals helped to drive my dedication tot he overall field of stroke and the care of young stroke patients.”
Preeti Ragahvan, MD
NYE Langone Medical Center
“I became interested in young stroke during my practice and research in stroke rehabilitation. I find that stroke can affect any age group, and I see more and more young patients with stroke.
Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because disability can have a greater impact on younger stroke survivors and their quality of life. The physician community has a great responsibility to meet the needs of younger individuals with stroke.”
James Meschia, MD
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
“I became interested in stroke in the young when I was a fellow in vascular neurology with Dr. Biller as my mentor. It was fascinating and surprising to see stroke affect the young and I wanted to play a role in improving prevention. This in part led me to develop and run national studies of genetic risk factors for stroke.”
Souvik Sen, MPH
Professor & Chair of Clinical Neurology, University of South Carolina
“I became interested in young stroke when I started treating strokes. Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because it has the biggest impact on quality of life.”
Christopher McKevitt, PhD
Kings College
“I became interested in young stroke many years ago when it was clear that there was little research into the particular problems that typically face younger stroke survivors.”
Monair McGregor, PhD & Caregiver
“I became interested in young stroke when I learned about the numbers of individuals affected by stroke under the age of 65. Understanding the lack of social supports that are available to survivors with spouses and children concerned me; knowing that challenges beyond the stroke event could greatly disrupt any normal household routine.
Resolving this issue about young stroke is important to me because I have been the caregiver of a family member who has survived two strokes. Many day I wondered what would have happened to this family member if I did not have the capacity or were available to fully assist with the recovery process. If the roles of the caregiver and survivor were reversed, could I have fared as well, would my family have remained strong and intact? I believe increasing the awareness is an important public health issue that needs to be highlighted often.”
Harriet Manis, PharmD & Caregiver
“I became interested in young stroke when my husband had a stroke at age 46 and I was having trouble finding sources for therapy and support which did not meet in the middle of the work day.
It is important to resolve this issue because more and more individuals under 65 years of age are having strokes and there is no resources available and there are still health professionals and insurance providers that believe that stopping after 6 months of therapy is sufficient.”
