Why I Give: Fast Stroke Care Leads to Gratitude

David Pecha suffered a stroke at home on Labor Day in 2017; thankfully, David’s son happened to be home and called 911. 

David was quickly taken to Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute where the stroke team was ready and waiting for his arrival. 

As a leader in stroke reversal, Saint Luke’s treats 4,000 suspected strokes each year. Speed is incredibly important
and played a vital role in David’s stroke journey. 

David went on to spend three months in the neuro intensive care unit, where he developed deep gratitude for the nursing team and Casey Martinez, MD, who helped David in his recovery. 

David and Dr. Martinez had countless bedside chats that allowed them to bond over the journey of fatherhood.
Dr. Martinez even took time to speak directly to David’s son—who was 15 at the time—about his father’s condition. 

"Dr. Martinez’s outstanding bedside manner helped keep me going,” David said. 

In 2018, David had a desire to show his appreciation for the care he received by giving back to Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute, specifically to the neuro intensive care unit. His donation was used to further the training and education of neuroscience ICU nurses through a dedicated resource library for their unit. 

The library offers nurses the opportunity to check out study material and resources that will help them earn their RN specialty certification in stroke, critical care, and neuroscience. 

They also were able to purchase a medical mannequin to help offer hands-on education and training in the areas of IV, central line, external ventricular drain (EVD), and tracheostomy assessment and management. 

Today, David is thriving and enjoying life with his son, David Pecha Jr.

Learn more about how you can support Saint Luke's Health System through giving.