When every minute mattered, compassionate stroke care brought calm to a family

As a practice manager for UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group, Christine Ernst knows the health system’s mission and values. But experiencing them firsthand during a loved one’s medical emergency in April left her not only extremely grateful for the whole-person care they received but also extremely proud to work there.

“Our mission, values and service standards are ingrained in us. They came to life in every interaction we had those two days we were in the hospital receiving care,” Ernst said. “In a time of vulnerability, the team’s compassion and dedication made a lasting impact on both of us.”

That Thursday night in early April, Ernst’s fiance, Patrick Green, had just gotten home from work. He was slurring his words, his arm was tingling and he couldn’t lift it when he tried to — all warning signs for a possible stroke.

“As soon as we got to the ER at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale, as soon as we told the team what kind of symptoms he was having, they took us right back for care,” Ernst said. “It was serious, and we were prioritized. It was comforting to know that all these people were around him, trying to make sure he was getting the care he needed.”

This exceptional, immediate care created a sense of calm and reassurance when it was needed most. Ernst said Cleo Binaoro, the nurse on shift that night, “was a joy” who lifted the tension and made a stressful situation much easier and smoother.

“It’s important to find connection, to have conversation,” Binaoro said. “Humor is a really good tool. It lightens things up and lessens the pressure. I also try to give accurate information and explain things. And you never want to ignore the family. I try to comfort them for the hard work they are doing.”

Ernst said the laughter they shared that night reassured her, helped her feel like everything would be OK and that they were in the right place.

Every couple hours the team came in to do physical and cognitive assessments. They made sure Ernst had a blanket, pillows and somewhere to sleep.

The next day, an MRI revealed that Green had, in fact, experienced a small stroke. He saw a cardiologist, neurologist, therapists. He and Ernst had a clear understanding of what had happened and what needed to happen next.

Around lunchtime that day, Ernst was hungry but didn’t want to leave Green’s side in case a doctor came. A nurse tech on the unit who’d noticed that Ernst had spent the night came and asked Ernst what she’d like to eat. Ten minutes later, she was back with a salad. This simple gesture moved Ernst to tears.

“It mattered, and it wasn’t expected. It was just someone noticing what we were going through — it’s so emotional to me, and I’m so thankful,” Ernst said. “I felt so much better after I was able to eat something. But it was really meaningful because it was an act of kindness when I was trying to keep steady for Pat.”

As the couple was pulling away from the hospital after Green was discharged, they agreed on how amazing their care had been — clinically, as a patient and family member, and also as people experiencing all the emotions and uncertainty of any medical emergency.

“It was everything that I expected — I knew that he would be taken care of and because of the way that we’re trained, but it was also surprising how well it came together. It was seamless. Everyone was so kind. It really made an impact.”