SPINNINGS - Week of August 8, 2023

TIME IS BRAIN!

Strokes and the Mobile Stroke Unit with Dr. Ilana Spokoyny, Sutter Health, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
 
As San Mateo Rotarians arrived at Poplar Creek on Tuesday, the San Mateo County Mobile Stroke Unit was there to greet them.  The mobile stroke unit is a special medical vehicle equipped with cutting-edge technology (including a scanner!) designed to provide immediate assistance to stroke victims.  
 
Dr. Spokoyny, Medical Director of the Mobile Stroke Unit, provided an in-depth introduction to stroke symptoms and treatment options.  Her riveting presentation focused on how to recognize if someone is having a stroke, what is happening in the brain when a stroke occurs, and how important it is to get immediate medical attention.
 
Each minute a stroke goes untreated means the loss of 2 million neurons. Seeking immediate treatment is vital for the best possible outcome. Dr. Spokoyny introduced Rotarians to BE FAST:
 
     B - Balance (Sudden loss of balance)
     E - Eyes (Sudden blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision)
     F - Face (Sudden facial weakness, uneven smile)
     A - Arms (Sudden inability to raise an arm on one side)
     S - Speech (Sudden slurred or garbled speech)
     T - Time (Time is critical - Call 911 immediately)
 
There are only two mobile stroke units in California.  Thanks to the Mills-Peninsula Health Foundation and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County has one of them! The mobile stroke unit is a fully operational 911 medical ambulance, staffed with an EMT and paramedic as well as a vascular neurologist, an RN and a CT Technologist.  The mobile stroke unit's main mission is to reach stroke victims as quickly as possible so treatment can begin because "Time is Brain!"
 
Dr. Spokoyny was kind enough to share her power point available at this link:
 
 
If you missed her presentation, you can view it on YouTube here:
 
 
 
With thanks to Dr. Spokoyny for sharing her expertise, to her team who gave tours of the mobile stroke unit, and to Bill Kenney who used his Mills/Peninsula contacts to arrange the visit.  
Rotarians could tour the mobile stroke unit so Tom Huening and John Root jumped at the chance. They enjoyed meeting the medical staff on a sunny San Mateo afternoon.  
Skip Howie and Peter Sortwell were all ears as the EMT gave an overview of all the medical equipment on board. The scanner, which pulls out, is right by Skip.  
 
The 3rd annual Classic & Custom Car Show is less than a month away!

Are you ready FOR THE CAR SHOW?

Ray Iverson and Ross Moilan are busy with the final preparations for this year's Car Show SET FOR  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND, BETWEEN 9AM & 3PM at College of San Mateo.  

There's still time to register your car or volunteer to help.  

How?  Either point your smartphone camera at the friendly dinosaur embedded above or visit the link below:

 
Ray and Ross would love your help so let them know if you can cover a volunteer shift.  Should be a great opportunity not only to help out Rotary's scholarship fund-raising, but also to get an up-close look at lots of terrific cars!  
 
Ray Iverson                  rayiverson@rocketmail.com
 
Ross Moilan                  rmoilan@calwater.com
 
Thanks to Ray & Ross for organizing the event and to you for stepping up to volunteer!
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Dr. Tabia Lee, Ed.D
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
and the Four-Way Test:
Understanding Today's Civic & Educational Landscape