There’s a faster way
to treat strokes:
Take the hospital to the patient.
The Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit
is available in Brooklyn.
It’s a stroke treatment center—complete with a
CT scanner and access to a neurologist from
Weill Cornell Medicine—that can travel straight
to the patient, saving them precious time and
precious brain cells. If you suspect someone’s
having a stroke, call 911.
Learn more about the MSTU at nyp.org/mstu
Caribbean L 42 ife, May 3–9, 2019 BQ
Health
Integrated healthcare facility
opens in Coney Island
What you don’t know can hurt you
It affects more than 240,000 Americans
every year, according to National
Stroke Association, but
most people don’t know what it is and
many don’t realize when they’ve had
one. It’s called transient ischemic attack
— and it’s a major warning sign
that a stroke may happen.
Many don’t know they’ve had an attack
because it happens so quickly. According
to National Stroke Association,
attacks last less than a day — most last
less than fi ve minutes — and don’t leave
any lasting effects to cause worry. Many
people don’t tell their doctors about the
short-lived attack, but it’s important to
seek immediate medical care because
more than one-third of people who have
an attack will suffer a stroke. In fact, although
studies may vary, up to 20 percent
will have one within 90 days, says
the American Heart Association.
By knowing more about transient
ischemic attacks, you can recognize
your risk, know when to seek immediate
medical attention, and talk with
your doctor about treatment options
and lifestyle changes that can help reduce
the risk of stroke after an attack.
It’s important to call 9-1-1 immediately
if an attack occurs. Here’s how to
recognize if you or someone you know
is having an attack:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of
A sudden, severe headache with no known
cause can be caused by a transient ischemic
attack — a major warning sign that a stroke
may happen.
the face, arm or leg, especially on one
side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or
both eyes
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking
or understanding
• Sudden dizziness, trouble walking,
loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no
known cause
“Transient ischemic attack and
stroke education are so important. If I
had known more, I would have talked
to my doctor about my risk and tried to
reduce it before I had a stroke,” said attack
patient Charlie Harris, 62.
For more information, visit www.
TalkAboutTIA.com.
A new healthcare facility opening
in Coney Island will bring a staff
of medical professionsals as diverse
and dynamic as the People’s
Playground.
The Interborough Developmental
and Consultation Center, occuping
eight fl oors of a new building at
2846 Stillwell Ave., will offer locals
high-quality medical and behavioral
healthcare.
Founded more than four decades
ago by the late Dr. Leon Gersten, IDCC’s
mission is to offer the very best
care to all who come through its doors,
no matter patients’ age, race, or background.
As with the other locations
throughout Brooklyn, the new Coney
facility — located just steps from the
Stillwell Avenue train station — will
have a diverse and multilingual staff,
offering specialized services for children,
adults, and geriatrics.
The People’s Playground is renowned
as a dynamic, creative, and
diverse community. A community
that deserves the same highly professional
integrated care services recommended
by SAMHSA and NIMH.
As an integrated care facility, IDCC
Coney Island offers people the convenience
of receiving care for the mind
and body in one place, and facilitates
communication between medical and
behavioral health staff. It has a staff
of mental health professionals, including
psychiatrists, therapists, and
care managers, as well as primary
care physicians, physical therapy,
and internal medicine, among others
medical specialties.
The staff believes that listening
to patients is the foundation of excellent
care, and is excited to be bringing
their services to the community.
“A primary factor that has helped
IDCC sustain a consistent level of success
is our staff’s focus on listening
to our patients. By taking the time
and effort to listen to each person’s
concerns, our staff is better able to
address their individualized needs,”
said Dr. Stephen Gersten, chief executive
offi cer of the center.
Their belief is that no matter who
you are or what you have experienced,
with effective help there is hope to
lead a happier and healthier life.
Interborough Developmental and
Consultation Center Coney Island
2846 Stillwell Ave. between Neptune
and Mermaid avenues in Coney Island,
(718) 975–4888, www.interborough.
org.
/www.interbor-ough.org
/www.TalkAboutTIA.com
/www.interbor-ough.org
/www.TalkAboutTIA.com
/www.interbor-ough.org
/mstu
/TalkAboutTIA.com