Back to Work, Back to Family

A Stroke Survivor’s Story

Brad Hensley, 51, a safety coordinator at Perennial Energy, was having a normal morning at work when he noticed something wasn’t right. His right arm began to tingle and feel heavy, and soon after, the right side of his face went numb. At first, he tried to brush it off - but when he struggled to speak, he knew he needed help.

“With heart problems running in my family, I always thought a heart attack would be my biggest risk,” Brad said. “A stroke wasn’t the first thing on my mind.”

A coworker who recognized the warning signs acted quickly, and within minutes, Brad was on his way to the Ozarks Healthcare Emergency Department.

“From the moment we walked in, everything moved fast,” Brad said. “I don’t think we waited more than a minute before they took me back and started scans.”

As his symptoms rapidly worsened, Ozarks Healthcare’s emergency and stroke teams immediately went into action. Doctors and nurses explained each step, administered life-saving medication, and worked seamlessly to stabilize his condition.

“They told me later that if the medicine hadn’t worked, I either wouldn’t be here or I’d have been transferred hours away,” Brad shared. “Instead, I came back just as fast as I went down.”

“Early recognition and rapid treatment are critical in stroke care,” Dr. Curtis Horstman, emergency medicine physician at Ozarks Healthcare, said.

“Because Brad arrived quickly and received immediate intervention, our teams were able to limit damage and support a strong recovery.”

After spending the night in the ICU, Brad was walking, talking, and evaluated by physical, occupational, and speech therapy teams. He was able to return home the very next day.

“Seeing my son standing at the end of the bed is when it really hit me,” he said. “All I could think about was my grandkids. I wanted to be here for them.”

Now back at work, Brad uses his experience to remind others that quick action matters.

“Pay attention to your body,” he said. “Acting fast saved my life - and Ozarks Healthcare was ready when every second counted.”

Know the signs of stroke. Remember FAST:
F – Face: Does one side droop?
A – Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
S – Speech: Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
T – Time: Call 911 immediately. Every minute matters.

Ozarks Healthcare is proud to be recognized as a Primary Stroke Center and Primary Heart Attack Center, certifications that reflect the health system’s commitment to delivering rapid, evidence-based, life-saving care - right here at home, when every second counts.
For more information about stroke and heart care at Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com.