Advanced Treatment Saves Local Fire Inspector

Dignity Health Neurological Institute and Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a comprehensive stroke center, was featured on local TV station KOVR-13.

Mark Morris, a fire inspector for the Sacramento Metro Fire Department, experienced a massive stroke on Sept. 11 while grilling dinner on the barbeque. He suddenly felt dizzy and couldn’t speak. His wife recognized his stroke symptoms and called 911.

Morris was taken to Mercy Hospital of Folsom where he was seen by a neurologist at the Dignity Health Neurological Institute, via telemedicine robot. The patient was then transferred to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a comprehensive stroke center, where he received advanced stroke treatment in which a clot was pulled from his brain through a catheter in a biplane angiography suite.

Morris was able to talk again right after the procedure and now he’s back on the job as a fire inspector.

On Jan. 12, Tony Lopez, anchor/reporter for KOVR 13, interviewed Mark about his medical journey and recovery and he interviewed Dr. George Luh about the patient’s treatment and the advanced treatments available at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. 

Stroke Robot SD2 KOVR-CBS13 10pm Sac, CA 01-12-2017 from Melissa Jue/Dignity Health on Vimeo.

Neurological Care 

Dignity Health Neurological Institute of Northern California is proud to be the region’s leader in neurovascular care, treating the highest volume of neurovascular patients in the area. Our renowned team includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventional radiologists and neurocritical care specialists.

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Mercy San Juan Medical Center is the only hospital north of the Bay Area to earn The Joint Commission’s new advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center certification, recognizing the hospital for its ability to treat the most complex stroke cases and provide 24/7 access to neurology, neurosurgery, neurointerventional radiology, and neurocritical care. The new certification also reflects the hospital’s capabilities and investments, particularly related to:

• Vascular neurosurgery services
• Use of advanced imaging technologies to diagnose and treat stroke patients
• Ongoing stroke-related research and commitment to public education of stroke
• Participation in clinical trials
• Existence of a dedicated neurointensive care unit