Every Minute Counts: What Happens During a Stroke – and What Recovery Really Looks Like
From RUMC Connections by Meredith Gaskins
June 3, 2026 · 32 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the critical moments during a stroke and the recovery process, featuring insights from Dr. Allan Perel.
When a stroke begins, the brain immediately goes into crisis. With each passing minute, millions of brain cells are at risk. That’s why specialists often say, “time is brain.” At Richmond University Medical Center, stroke patients are met with rapid evaluation, advanced imaging, and around-the-clock neurological expertise – care that can dramatically change outcomes and preserve quality of life. But what happens after the emergency? What does stroke treatment really look like behind the hospital doors? And what should patients and families realistically expect during recovery? Chief of department of Neurology, medical director of RUMC stroke, and immediate past president of New York State Neurological Society, Dr. Allan Perel, joins host, Meredith Gaskins, again to walk us through what happens minute by minute during a stroke, how fast treatment can make a life-changing difference, and what recovery truly looks like – from rehabilitation to regaining independence. At RUMC, patients also have access to the only stroke support group on Staten Island, which brings survivors and caregivers together to share experiences, ask questions, and support one another through recovery. This is…
People in this episode
Host: Meredith Gaskins
Guest: Dr. Allan Perel
Topics covered
- stroke
- neurology
- recovery
- healthcare
- patient care
Keywords
- stroke
- brain crisis
- treatment
- recovery
- neurology
- support group
- rehabilitation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Richmond University Medical Center, New York State Neurological Society
Places: Staten Island
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