In support of National Stroke Awareness Month, this May, Reading Hospital Stroke Center launched a new program titled, “How Do You Eat An Elephant?" Funded by the Reading Hospital Foundation, the campaign supports patients on their recovery journey following a stroke.  During treatment, patients are given a small stuffed elephant and a printed copy of the story of Brian Hoffa, a stroke patient whose strength and resilience taught him to take his care journey “one bite at a time.”

The night before Brian was released from the hospital following his stroke, his wife, Loryn Hoffa, brought him a stuffed elephant that he later named “DJ.” When nurses and visitors came into Brian’s room, he would ask them: “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer was always “one bite at a time,” which became Brian’s motto. Brian Hoffa took his path to recovery one step - or one bite - at a time.

“We are so grateful to fund another program that supports our patients,” said Katherine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation. “I would like to thank our donors for their continued support, which allows us to fund projects like How Do You Eat An Elephant? Through projects like these, we can spread a little bit of joy to stroke patients in our state-of-the-art rehabilitation program.”

Tower Health has long been recognized as a leader in stroke care, with Reading Hospital, Pottstown Hospital, and Phoenixville Hospital each being designated as Primary Stroke Centers (PSC). These centers provide our community with rapid evaluation and treatment of strokes, with access to a CARF-accredited stroke rehabilitation program.

Reading Hospital was named one of America’s Best 100 Hospitals for Stroke Care in 2023, earning the Stroke Care Excellence Award for the 17th year in a row.

Richard L. Lukose, DO, Chair, Neurology at Reading Hospital, said, “A stroke is a very serious medical emergency that requires immediate care. We are proud to offer our community around-the-clock access to the highest level of quality stroke care.”

Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of a stroke, or transient ischemic attack, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. This blockage prevents the brain from getting oxygen and nutrients and can begin to destroy brain cells within minutes. A stroke is a true medical emergency that requires immediate attention and care.

Use BE FAST to recognize the warning signs of a stroke:
  • B - Balance - Sudden loss of balance.
  • E - Eyes - Vision loss in one or both eyes.
  • F - Face - Weakness or dropping on one side.
  • A - Arms - Weakness in one arm.
  • S - Speech - Slurred speech or sudden confusion.
  • T - Time - Call 9-1-1 now!

 

About Reading Hospital

Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.