A Family’s Journey with Memorial Health System

When their 86-year-old mother first started to exhibit unusual symptoms on Christmas Day 2023, sisters Kristin Garrison and Kelee Riesbeck initially did not expect it to indicate a larger and more serious issue.

“She started out with vision problems—mainly a noticeable loss of vision in her left eye,” recalls Kristin. “But when she started to experience a horrible headache the next day, we knew that we needed to get her to the emergency department.”

Upon arrival at Selby General Hospital’s emergency department, the family was introduced to the first of many incredible providers that they would encounter during their mother’s time with Memorial Health System, William Timmer, DO.

Dr. Timmer, an emergency medicine provider, suspected that Kristin and Kelee’s mother was experiencing a neurological emergency and ordered a CAT scan to be performed to determine a diagnosis. He then immediately called for his colleague, Seyed Ghodsi, MD to assist him with the case.

A surgeon with the Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Ghodsi recognized that Kristin and Kelee’s mother had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on the right side of her brain which needed swift intervention.

While most strokes are the result of a blood clot cutting off blood flow to the brain, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Known to be the deadliest and least treatable type of stroke, hemorrhagic strokes only occur in around 13% of stroke cases.

Thankfully, the Garrison family had taken their mother to the emergency department early on when her symptoms began, and she was soon transferred by Dr. Ghodsi to Marietta Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Throughout their mother’s month-long stay at Marietta Memorial and Selby General, Kristin, Kelee, and their entire family were in awe of the level of care shown not only to their mother but to them as well.

“She’s only here because of Memorial,” Kristin states. “Everyone just really cared for mom. She wasn’t just another patient to them, they genuinely cared for her. It wasn’t just mom though. We never ever had to call to ask how she was doing, her team always called to update us.”

Not only did their mother’s care team keep them updated constantly, but they were also always willing and able to answer any questions the family had. Two providers in particular, Lloyd Dennis, MD, and Ayla Gordon, MD, stood out to the family for this very reason.

“We felt heard,” says Kelee when asked about their experience with Drs. Dennis and Gordon. On two separate occasions, these providers met with the family in Marietta Memorial’s chapel to speak with them as a group about their mother’s care. “There was no rush and the conversation felt relaxed,” Kristin adds. “They were honest and plain-spoken—they were exactly what we needed at the time.”

For the family, these moments were incredibly meaningful and are a large part of what made their mother’s care stand out to them. Despite their busy schedules, Drs. Dennis and Gordon took the time to be involved and intentional with the entire family—it was not just about taking care of their mother, but the family as an extension.

Attentive and meaningful moments like those were a frequent experience for the family. From nursing staff calling with updates during shift changes and care teams securing a specialized walker to help their mother gain back her independence while in rehab, to a nutritionist going out to the grocery store just to buy the watermelon that she was craving during a time when nothing sounded appetizing, Kelee and Kristin’s mother was well taken care of.

Since their mother’s return home on January 25, 2024, exactly one month from the onset of the stroke, Kristin, Kelee, and their entire family have been amazed by her progress, something they credit both to their mother’s resilience and the support of her care team.

“It’s been a team effort,” replies Kristin, “and all the Memorial Health System people were a team for us. We got our mom back.”

Along with Drs. Dennis, Ghodsi, Gordon, and Timmer, the family would also like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Richard Hoyt, MD, and his team for the exceptional care they provided their mother after her time at Marietta Memorial Hospital.

“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined my mom would return home as well as she did,” says Kelee. “Memorial Health System, they’re part of our team—our family’s team.”

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