'Exactly where I needed to be': Seamlessly connected care saves woman's life

When Linda Vick scheduled an appointment with Mitesh Lotia, MD -- medical director for movement disorders at AdventHealth's Neuroscience Institute -- she was seeking help for a hand tremor that she had lived with for more than 50 years. She never imagined that that routine visit would turn into a life-saving moment.

During her evaluation at the outpatient clinic, Dr. Lotia asked Vick to count using her right and left hands. But when she tried to lift her left hand, it wouldn't move.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Lotia immediately performed a stroke protocol examination and diagnosed her with an acute stroke.

"I went in for a tremor and left with my life saved."

Without hesitation, Dr. Lotia instructed his nurse navigator to call 911 and activated a stroke alert. He was able to quickly speak with an emergency room physician and update him on the situation, ensuring the hospital was prepared for Vick's arrival.

Within moments, emergency medical technicians arrived at the clinic and took Vick to AdventHealth Orlando's emergency room, where a specialized team was already in place to continue her care.

"When I arrived at the ER, it felt like there was a welcome committee of at least 10 people who already knew I was coming," she said. "They moved quickly, drawing blood, performing X-rays and getting me a CT scan right away."

The scan revealed a small but active brain bleed, and her care team worked to stabilize her high blood pressure, which had started to rapidly rise back in the outpatient clinic.

With the swift transfer to the ER and the urgent correction of her blood pressure by the ER team, a much larger stroke was potentially avoided.

Vick was admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring.

"How lucky is it that Linda was with the right physician at the right moment when she developed hand weakness?" said Edgardo Rodriguez, MD, emergency medicine physician at AdventHealth Orlando. "Thanks to Dr. Lotia's quick action, we were able to diagnose and treat her stroke immediately."

During Vick's stay, her care team worked to identify the root cause of her high blood pressure to help prevent future complications.

A moment that surprised her was when Dr. Lotia visited her in the ER, she said.

"I was so taken aback and so pleased that he stopped by," Vick said. "That kind of care and concern meant the world to me."

Her story is a testament to the power of connected, expert-driven care.

From a neurologist's outpatient clinic to the emergency department and into the ICU, Vick's journey demonstrates the importance of providing seamless, coordinated care when it matters most.

"Our goal is always to provide whole-person care and act swiftly when seconds matter," Dr. Lotia said. "This case highlights the importance of expertise and rapid response in ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients."

Now recovering well, Vick said that she remains grateful for the care that saved her life.

"I went in for a tremor and left with my life saved," she said. "I never expected that appointment to turn into such a critical moment. But thanks to Dr. Lotia and the entire team at AdventHealth, I'm here today. It was a scary situation, but I never felt alone. I know I was exactly where I needed to be."