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Article Category: PeopleCare

AshleyCare

Published on August 16, 2020

Last updated 03:46 PM August 21, 2020

Ashley with her baby on a bridge

Ashley in a park, holding her son Luke.

September hasn't always been Ashley Irwin’s favorite month. Years ago, that time of year when the leaves changed into bright, warm colors held some of the darkest moments of her life.

In 2011, a 28-year-old Ashley was battling a particularly bad bout of Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory illness that can cause painful and often debilitating abdominal and bowel issues.

After the intense flare-up, Ashley was settling in at home again with the assistance of her mother. She was determined to regain her independence and get back on track.

But it wasn’t long before the sharp sensation of a migraine hit her full force. Pushing through the pain, she tried to check her email for any new messages, though it was nearly impossible to type in her username and password.

“As I sat in front of the computer, I couldn’t even remember my last name to log in to my email account—no matter how hard I tried,” Ashley recalled the terrifying moment.

Almost immediately, Ashley’s mother noticed her confusion, and stepped in to assess the situation and double-check her daughter’s cognitive abilities.

“My mom asked me, ‘Who am I? What’s my name?’ In my head, I knew she was my mother, but I just couldn’t connect the dots and express it,” Ashley said, describing her confusion and difficulty thinking. “At that moment, I couldn’t tell you her name or her relationship to me.”

Worried, the mother and daughter rushed to the Emergency Department at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center for immediate medical treatment. After being evaluated, it was clear that Ashley was dealing with much more than just a bad headache—she was having a stroke.

Any time a person experiences a stroke, the brain can have a very severe reaction. In Ashley’s case, her brain began to swell. If we didn’t address the issue immediately, the brain could end up ‘choking’ itself within the rigid confines of the skull.

- Dr. Joseph Hormes

Wellstar Neurologist

Listen to Ashley's Story

Emergency stroke care

After quickly being transferred to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Wellstar Neurologist Dr. Joseph Hormes was the first to evaluate her condition.

“When Ashley was admitted to the hospital, she was dealing with a very complex neurological illness,” Dr. Hormes recalled. “Due to an unusual blood-clotting issue, she was experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke which caused life-threatening bleeding in her brain.”

Unlike more common ischemic strokes which are caused by a blocked artery in the brain, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. According to the American Stroke Association, hemorrhagic strokes account for just 13% of all stroke cases.

Even so, the Wellstar care team was prepared to handle the complex case. A team of physicians sprang into action, giving Ashley immediate care and closely monitoring the situation. However, after a few days in the hospital, Ashley’s condition wasn’t getting any better.

“Any time a person experiences a stroke, the brain can have a very severe reaction,” Dr. Hormes explained, “In Ashley’s case, her brain began to swell. If we didn’t address the issue immediately, the brain could end up ‘choking’ itself within the rigid confines of the skull.”

Dr. Hormes didn’t waste any time to save Ashley’s life.

“Right away, we assembled a team of expert physicians, including a neurologist, neurosurgeon, neurointensivist and hematologist, who all worked together to provide the best care possible for Ashley,” said Dr. Hormes.

As Ashley’s condition continued to deteriorate, her brain pressure reached a critical point. The physicians rushed her into emergency craniotomy surgery.

During the surgical procedure, a piece of Ashley’s skull—called a skull flap—was expertly removed to allow her brain to swell freely. The portion of skull was surgically implanted into her abdomen tissue to keep it viable for reimplantation. This method would allow her brain time to heal on its own without being hindered by the skull.

Dr. Hormes commented on how the dedicated team came together to save Ashley’s life.

“At Wellstar, medicine is not a one-person sport,” the neurologist said. “It takes a team effort to take care of our patients. To provide critical care and save lives, we must have the right specialists at the right time and the right place.”

With her Wellstar team behind her, Ashley made it through surgery and spent the next two weeks in a medically-induced coma so her brain could begin healing. However, Ashley’s path back to better health was just beginning.

Working towards recovery

After waking up from the induced coma, Ashley grappled with the reality of having had a stroke. At the time of the event, Ashley wasn’t even 30 years old, which made it even more difficult for her to deal with the diagnosis.

“The word ‘stroke’ wasn’t even a part of my usual vocabulary,” Ashley said, addressing how the diagnosis was a total shock. “I always thought only older people could have strokes before I had mine.”

Unfortunately, strokes have no age limits—they can happen to anyone. While strokes are more common for the elderly, the American Stroke Association reports that people of all ages can experience a stroke, including children and infants.

While also juggling the emotional side effects of the stroke, it was a balancing act to keep her physical health in check. Finding the right mix of medication was tricky: many common medications used to treat strokes were the polar opposite treatments recommended to keep Ashley’s Crohn’s disease under control.

However, her care team took the challenges head-on with solutions that would address both conditions. “My Wellstar physicians were wonderful at finding the treatments that were most beneficial for treating the stroke, but wouldn’t send my Crohn’s into chaos,” Ashley said.

From there, weeks turned to months in the hospital as Ashley began working towards recovery. Along with the right medications, Ashley also dealt with other external factors that slowed her progress. From suffering an unexpected fall to developing an infection on her head wound, many challenges pushed back her surgery date to get her skull flap reattached.

“It was a long road with good days and bad days,” Ashley said, noting how her devoted care team made all the difference in her recovery.

Then in January, several months after being admitted to the hospital, Ashley underwent surgery to reattach her skull. After the successful procedure, Ashley made it her mission to be home before the next major holiday.

“My nurses promised me I wouldn’t end up spending Valentine’s Day in the hospital,” Ashley recalled the special memory. “They worked so hard to make sure everything aligned so I could be home. In the end, I was discharged on February 13th — just in time for the holiday.”

After months in the hospital, Ashley was finally home. However, she still had both physical and mental hurdles to work through. After being declared a fall risk, she had to temporarily move back in with her parents for constant monitoring.

“At that time, I couldn’t be left alone,” Ashley said, remembering the difficult start of her recovery. “It was really hard. I was so delicate physically, but I still felt like an active 28-year-old in my mind.”

Soon, Ashley was cleared to start stroke rehabilitation which was a big step in recovery. She harnessed the strength and determination to move forward step by step, focusing on physical therapy to improve her mobility.

“My friends and family were very encouraging with physical therapy,” Ashley said, remembering how she used the extra inspiration to fuel her physical recovery.

But it wasn’t just her relatives that helped her have a positive mindset. Ashley found a new family of Wellstar physicians that motivated her along the way.

“Through physical rehabilitation, my physicians helped me realize that I could live a fulfilling life after having a stroke,” Ashley smiled. “I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines and watch life happen around me. I wasn’t going to let my medical episode set me back.”

 



New beginnings

Through the years, Ashley diligently stayed on her wellness journey and settled into a new normal.

According to the American Stroke Association, people who have experienced one stroke have a much higher risk of experiencing another event in the future. With this in mind, she regularly saw Dr. Hormes to help manage her health and prevent another stroke.

Almost eight years after her stroke, Ashley got some joyous news. She and her husband were going to have a baby, and along with the elation and promise of new life came a pang of uncertainty.

“When I got pregnant, Dr. Hormes was one of the first physicians I texted,” Ashley said, noting the excellent patient relationship she has formed with the neurologist. “After having a stroke years ago, I was nervous about the pregnancy and wanted to make sure everything would be okay.”

For Ashley, becoming pregnant was nothing short of a miracle.

“For years, having a child was always up in the air. I was never sure if I would be able to have a child safely or if it would happen,” Ashley explained.

With her medical history, she was considered a high-risk pregnancy and would need constant monitoring until she gave birth. However, there was no doubt in her mind that her child would be born at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.

“From the beginning, Wellstar was the place I had always received care. In fact, I was even born at Kennestone Hospital,” Ashley said.

Keeping everything in the same healthcare family had many benefits and made it easier when it came to her regular medical appointments.

“After my stroke and pregnancy years later, it was very comforting that Wellstar knew my medical history and had all of my records in their system,” Ashley said. “I didn’t have to rehash my entire medical episode at every appointment—they had all of the information right there at their fingertips.”

From September to September

For Ashley, Wellstar’s patient-centered care approach made her entire pregnancy easier.

Along with constant communication and support from Dr. Hormes, she had a total of five physicians providing coordinated care and closely monitoring her condition throughout the pregnancy. Nine months later, she welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world the very same month she had experienced a stroke eight years before.

“September used to be a very dark month for me. I would almost get lost in the memories of my stroke during that time of year,” Ashley said, remembering the troubling time. “But September became my brightest month ever, once my baby Luke was born.”

The birth brought peace and hope to the new mother, helping to put life into perspective. Now, Ashley has focused her energy on keeping a positive outlook for whatever comes her way.

“Getting through a stroke was a hard struggle. Some days, everything seemed negative, like the world was crashing down around me,” Ashley said, explaining her darkest moments.

“Now, I like to celebrate the little things,” she continued. “After Luke’s birth, September became a time to celebrate new life and new beginnings. Through everything over the past few years, I learned to pick myself up from the dust and keep going.”

Every step of the way, Ashley learned to rely on Wellstar for continued care. Dr. Hormes, who had been with Ashley from the beginning, was delighted at her progress.

“The most rewarding part of my work is healing patients,” Dr. Hormes beamed. “When patients like Ashley visit me after they’ve recovered or start new chapters in life, it’s the best paycheck I could ever get.”

As a mother and stroke survivor, Ashley encourages everyone to take charge of their wellness throughout their life.

“You have to be your own health advocate,” she said. “You are your greatest supporter because nobody’s going to speak up louder or stronger than you.”

Through it all, Ashley credited Wellstar with helping her through all her health hurdles and triumphs.

“Wellstar has always been there for me, from my birth to my stroke to the birth of my son,” Ashley said. “They saved my life—and then helped me bring new life into the world. Today, I’m in such a great place because of Wellstar.”

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Kennestone Regional Medical Center Joseph Hormes AshleyCare
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Robert, a new grandfather, poses proudly with his daughter and her infant son. With Wellstar helping him manage his HCM, he can keep making memories with his growing family.

PeopleCare

RobertCare

Robert Frederick was living a typical life, going to work and spending time with his mother, siblings and children. But then it became hard to breathe when walking short distances or climbing stairs. He got dizzy. Perhaps most disturbingly, he passed out several times—once at a Braves baseball game he attended with his siblings.

"I didn't know what was going on!" Robert recalled.

Difficulty controlling AFib with medication

After passing out the first time, he went to urgent care and was then taken to the hospital by ambulance. He learned his symptoms were caused by atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat.

Robert began to see Dr. David Caras, a Wellstar general cardiologist, and learned AFib is related to high blood pressure. Successfully managing high blood pressure often helps people keep AFib under control. Despite their efforts, AFib sent Robert to the emergency room two more times.

Suspicion of HCM

Dr. Caras reviewed Robert’s hospital records and found he had increased wall thickness of the left ventricle and a gradient—a pressure difference between the left ventricle and the aorta when the heart pumps. These findings were consistent with a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, this disease makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively.

Dr. Caras referred Robert to Dr. Melissa Burroughs, an HCM specialist at Wellstar. As a Center of Excellence designated by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, Wellstar is one of the leading providers of comprehensive HCM care in Metro Atlanta.

"We have physicians in the group—designated HCM specialists—that are the point person of the patient’s care," Dr. Burroughs explained. “This includes close communication and collaboration with electrophysiologists, surgeons, advanced heart failure specialists, social workers and behavioral health professionals.”

A rare finding leads to Mayo Clinic Care Network collaboration

Robert said, “Dr. Burroughs wanted to do genetic testing to verify that I had HCM."

But genetic testing revealed a rare genetic variant—one not known to be associated with HCM. Dr. Burroughs called it a “diagnostic conundrum.” The genetic variant found was typically associated with a different cardiac disease that Robert did not have. However, he did have clear signs of HCM.

To investigate further, Dr. Burroughs collaborated with other HCM experts through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, of which Wellstar is a member. Mayo Clinic, which is also an HCM Center of Excellence, provided access to its unpublished database, finding Robert’s rare mutation was present in two other family groups with HCM.

“It’s very important that we add to the science—that we include our patients in the registry to enhance what is already known about HCM,” Dr. Burroughs said.

Robert added, “Dr. Burroughs is very persistent. She wanted to know, ‘Why are you having these problems? What’s the root cause?’ She went above and beyond to find that out.”

Keep reading
Doctor listening to patient's heart with stethoscope

Newsroom

Top Marks for Heart Care at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has received several major commendations highlighting the high level of heart care continuously provided to patients—putting Wellstar’s cardiothoracic surgery program among the top in the nation. The Marietta-based heart care program received:

  • The coveted three-star rating in the following key areas from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS): isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, or open-heart surgery), aortic valve replacement (AVR), AVR + CABG, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgeries. This is the highest category of quality, placing Wellstar Kennestone among the best programs for heart surgery in the U.S. and Canada. 
  • The prestigious Comprehensive Cardiac Care Certification—the highest distinction awarded by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association. Wellstar Kennestone was the first in Georgia to receive this certification.

These recognitions demonstrate Wellstar’s commitment to keeping advanced heart care close to home.

“These accomplishments speak volumes about the skill, precision and teamwork of our cardiothoracic team,” said Dr. Richard Myung, medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at Wellstar Kennestone. “We’re proud to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients from across the Southeast who have some of the most complex heart conditions.”

Three-star STS rating

STS ratings reflect not only surgical excellence, but also the quality of care patients receive in the critical 30-day period following surgery. 

“This extraordinary recognition reflects the world-class quality of care offered by Wellstar,” said Lorrie Liang, president of Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Windy Hill. “To achieve this gold standard, a health system must demonstrate both clinical excellence and rigorous standards for follow-up care. At Wellstar, we provide all of this, along with a warm, people-centered experience. It’s what we call ‘PeopleCare.’”

These results highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach—one that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, cardiologists, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, critical care specialists, hospitalists, advanced practice providers and many others.

“This achievement is a testament to the entire care continuum,” said Steve Cermak, executive director of cardiovascular service line and hospital operations at Wellstar Kennestone. “From the operating room to recovery and rehabilitation, every team member plays a vital role in delivering outstanding outcomes.”

Among the three-star rankings is CABG. This procedure is commonly performed to treat people having a heart attack or other conditions including coronary heart disease with chest pain, multiple blocked coronary arteries or serious heart failure. The procedure is performed by cardiovascular surgeons at Wellstar Kennestone—Dr. Theresa Luu, Dr. James Burke and Dr. Richard Myung—who work as part of a large multidisciplinary team to give every patient the highest quality care at every step of the process, from diagnosis through surgery and recovery.

“This amazing recognition is about the great lengths we go to care for our patients, and why people travel from across the region to receive their care at Wellstar Kennestone,” added Director of Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgery Services and the Structural Heart and Valve Program Karrie Davis. “We care for every patient like they’re a family member or close friend. That’s why we hold ourselves to the highest standards.”

Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care offers patients care close to home across Georgia communities at more than 25 cardiovascular locations, with more than 110 cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons standing ready to provide heart care for both routine and complex heart conditions. Wellstar also has one of the largest cardiovascular rehabilitation programs in Georgia, which helps patients improve their long-term outcomes.

Certification by The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission has also awarded Wellstar Kennestone with a Gold Seal of Approval in conjunction with the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark and certification as a Comprehensive Cardiac Center for the third consecutive time.

For the certification, Wellstar Kennestone underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including evaluating the care of the cardiac patient at every touch point in the cardiac care continuum with ongoing process improvement and health promotion for patients, as well as the community. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews. 

The hospital first received the two-year certification in 2019. This recertification makes the third cycle—or sixth year—it has remained in place. Wellstar Kennestone was the first hospital in Georgia and remains the only one in the state to hold the comprehensive certification.

From prevention to post-cardiac event recovery, our well-connected and collaborative heart care team is dedicated to empowering you to regain your strength and independence. We offer top-quality cardiovascular care including diagnostics, treatment, psychological support and ongoing monitoring all focused on your well-being. Learn more about award-winning heart care at Wellstar.

Keep reading
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is pictured. Text reads "STS National Database. Trusted. Transformed. Real-Time." and "STS 3-star ranked. 4 categories."

Newsroom

Wellstar Kennestone Achieves Elite National Recognition in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Marietta, GA— Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has achieved a rare milestone in cardiac care, earning the highest possible rating—three stars—in four categories evaluated by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This distinction places Wellstar Kennestone among the elite cardiac surgery programs in the U.S. and Canada.

The STS Star rating system is one of the most rigorous, verified and respected measures of quality in healthcare, based entirely on objective patient outcomes and implemented medical care processes. The latest analysis evaluates performance during a three-year period, from January 2022 to December 2024. Wellstar Kennestone earned the coveted three-star rating in the following key areas: isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, or open-heart surgery), aortic valve replacement (AVR), AVR + CABG, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgeries.

“This extraordinary recognition reflects the world-class quality of care offered by Wellstar,” said Lorrie Liang, senior vice president and hospital president of Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Windy Hill. “To achieve this gold standard, a health system must demonstrate both clinical excellence and rigorous standards for follow-up care. At Wellstar, we provide all of this, along with a warm, people-centered experience. It’s what we call ‘PeopleCare.’”

Previously, Wellstar Kennestone had earned three-star ratings in two categories. This latest achievement marks a significant advancement, solidifying its position as a national leader in cardiothoracic surgery.

“This new accomplishment speaks volumes about the skill, precision, and teamwork of our cardiothoracic team,” said Dr. Richard Myung, medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at Wellstar Kennestone. “We’re proud to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients from across the Southeast who have some of the most complex heart conditions.”

“This amazing recognition is about the great lengths we go to care for our patients, and why people travel from across the region to receive their care at Kennestone,” added Karrie Davis, Director of Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgery Services and the Structural Heart and Valve Program. “We care for every patient like they’re a family member or close friend. That’s why we hold ourselves to the highest standards.”

STS ratings reflect not only surgical excellence, but also the quality of care patients receive in the critical 30-day period following surgery. These results highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach—one that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, cardiologists, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, critical care specialists, hospitalists, advanced practice providers and many others.

“This achievement is a testament to the entire care continuum,” said Cindy Holcomb, Wellstar executive director of cardiovascular nursing at Wellstar Kennestone. “From the operating room to recovery and rehabilitation, every team member plays a vital role in delivering outstanding outcomes.”

With a team of more than 110 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, the Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care is home to one of Georgia’s most comprehensive cardiovascular programs. Its flagship, Wellstar Kennestone, was the first hospital in the state to earn the prestigious Comprehensive Cardiac Care Certification—the highest distinction awarded by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association.

For more information about Heart Care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/heartcare.

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