The warning signs of a stroke can be swift and deniable. Beebe Healthcare CEO and neurologist
Dr. David Tam knows this personally.
Written by Joe Willey
Photography courtesy Beebe Healthcare
Most people know someone—a friend, family member, or coworker—who has suffered from a stroke. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and though many know the classic symptoms, not all strokes present the obvious signs. And some happen to the most unlikely people.
Dr. David Tam, Beebe Healthcare CEO and a neurologist, has a more personal experience with strokes. On Friday, March 8, 2024, he woke up tired but excused it as fatigue at the end of a work week and was glad it was Friday. At work, he noticed that he unconsciously omitted a few words from sentences. Then, he could not sign documents on his desk. Still, he tried to keep going. When he walked out of his office, his assistants were alarmed and told him, “You need to go to the emergency room.” He checked into the ER and told the staff he may be having a stroke. He was. Taking quick action meant that his treatment was immediate and his recovery swift. But this was not special treatment. The protocol he received is the same one that every patient presenting with stroke symptoms receives.
Not everyone has the classic symptoms of a stroke—drooping face, weakness in one arm, slurring words—and Dr. Tam did not. Yet, he still had a stroke. Neurologists are acutely aware of stroke symptoms. So why did he ignore his? He is candid in answering. Like many, he pushed the concerns aside. He thought it must be something else. But often, there is something wrong that many deny.
SALUTE TO SERVICE
As a Navy veteran (retired Captain with 24 years of active duty to his credit), Dr. Tam is especially proud to connect with members of our military. Dr. Tam also poses with members of Beebe Healthcare’s Specialty Surgical Hospital, recognized as one of 15 top rural hospitals in the country by the Leapfrog Group.
Because of the stroke, Dr. Tam has a different perspective on the physician-patient relationship. He could tell a patient what was best for them, but he wasn’t doing a good job of managing himself. Now, he encourages everyone to be self-aware concerning their health. Being mindful of blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and urinary patterns is the first step in caring for yourself and preventing stroke and other serious illnesses.
The sooner a stroke is treated, the better the prognosis. Dr. Tam has worked to make accessibility and speed—especially in life-threatening or altering conditions like stroke—available to everyone in the area Beebe Healthcare serves. Because stroke victims need care immediately, since 2016 Beebe Healthcare has partnered with Jefferson Health in Philadelphia to provide a telemedicine option. This way, treatment is available at any time. In 2020, the telemedicine option was enhanced by implementing the JET “stroke” robot to ensure the fastest response time and most advanced care.
Being engaged in your health and having a high index of suspicion are things you can do to prevent the lasting effects of stroke. Diligence provides the greatest opportunity for early treatment. Having the right care is paramount to enjoying good health afterward.
Not every stroke presents with the same symptoms, but you can be proactive and attentive to your own needs. The thought of a stroke can bring fear. But understanding how to prevent stroke and knowing when to seek treatment—if the need should arise—can be the best medicine. CS
“The quick actions of the Beebe ER team in consultation with Jefferson neurologists prevented and possibly reversed brain damage and saved my life,” he said. “I would never have expected the programs we worked so hard to implement would be the same to personally save me.” — Dr. David Tam
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