ER Nurse Carlee Minyard Sets New Stroke Care Record at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s Regional Health System is proud to celebrate ER nurse Carlee Minyard’s remarkable achievement of a 17-minute door-to-treatment time for stroke care—a new record for the hospital. 

“Time is always my number one thought because millions of neurons are lost every second during a stroke,” Carlee shared. “When a patient arrives, the main questions are: When were they last seen normal? When did the symptoms start? Time is of the essence!”

The patient arrived with major stroke symptoms, including slurred speech, facial droop and complete one-sided weakness. After receiving TNKase medication, the patient’s NIH Stroke Scale score improved dramatically—from 17 to 3.

“By the time she left, she only had minor deficits,” Carlee recalled. “Her arms became less weak, and she could raise them up and hold them. Her speech completely cleared up. The way you feel when a patient completely turns around is indescribable—it’s a rush of happiness and joy because all your hard work pays off. This is what nursing is all about!” 

Carlee credits this success to her skilled and supportive team. “My night shift team came together through communication and highly effective teamwork,” she said. “I’m blessed to work with amazing nurses who always support and help me during stroke care.” 

Carlee credits this success to her skilled and supportive team. “My night shift team came together through communication and highly effective teamwork,” she said. “I’m blessed to work with amazing nurses who always support and help me during stroke care.”

She highlighted the contributions of her colleagues:

• Ambar Diaz and Tim Tanner: For teaching her stroke exams and timely care.
• Jonathan Bray: For setting up the room, starting IVs, and gathering vital information.
• Jennifer Blevins: For coordinating calls with EMS and UAMS for seamless consultations.
• Sydney Keaton: For assisting with the examination
• Rhonda Holliday: For handling transfer center communications and sharing exam details with the stroke center.
• The CT weekend team: For being prepared and delivering rapid, effective imaging.

Carlee’s quick actions were made possible by identifying stroke symptoms early and responding immediately. Knowing the signs of a stroke can save lives. Know the Signs of Stroke with the acronym BE FAST: 

• Balance: Sudden trouble with balance or coordination. 

• Eyes: Sudden vision loss or double vision. 

• Face: One side of the face drooping or uneven. 

• Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm; difficulty raising both arms. 

• Speech: Slurred or hard-to-understand speech. 

• Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. 

At Saint Mary’s, we are committed to providing exceptional stroke care. Achievements like Carlee’s 17-minute door-to-treatment time reflect our dedication to improving outcomes for our patients and ensuring the best possible care when it matters most.