The Ascension Wisconsin Prehospital Team values the vital role first responders play in delivering exceptional patient care. When first responders go above and beyond, working with emergency department clinicians and hospital care teams, to achieve an outstanding patient outcome, Ascension Wisconsin recognizes them by presenting them with an Ascension Challenge Coin. The coins encourage excellence and celebrate teamwork.
On March 7, the Racine Fire Department was recognized for their quick response to a patient who suffered a stroke. Thanks to the paramedics and Ascension All Saints Hospital care teams’ swift actions, the patient received tenecteplase (TNK), a drug used to treat blood clots and strokes, within just 22 minutes of arrival at the hospital. This resulted in a remarkably quick recovery, with minimal to no side effects typically associated with a stroke. The patient, Martin Walker, was able to be at Ascension All Saints to thank his care teams, in person, at the presentation.
”They saved my life,” Walker said. “I am grateful for the paramedics, the nurses and the doctors who took care of me. I’m so appreciative that they did what they did to save me.”
Two of the doctors on Walker’s care team were also present for this recognition. Emergency medicine physician, Dr. Joseph Humphrey and neurologist Dr. Pramit Bhasin recalled Walker’s impressive recovery.
“When Martin came in, his deficits were so profound that he wouldn’t have been able to walk again, use his arm, or even look in certain directions if we hadn’t acted fast,” Dr. Humphrey said. “After we administered the clot-busting medicine, he regained use of his sight, his speech, and movement within two hours and was speaking normally again two days later.”
“These are the moments I wear that white coat for,” Dr. Bhasin said. "There are times in medicine when outcomes are not what we expect. But when we see people avert disaster, when we see someone like Martin walking around, looking healthy, attending these functions, and living life—that’s what we hope and desire for all of our patients.”
The Racine Fire Department expressed gratitude for the recognition, and local media covered the story. It was featured on the front page of the Racine Journal Times, with additional coverage from the Racine County Eye and Fox 6. To learn more about the Challenge Coin initiative, click here.
