05/29/2026
Mackenzie Miller, a 22-year-old college lacrosse athlete, was used to pushing her body to perform at a high level. On an ordinary Monday, she did what many college students do: she took a nap. But when she woke up, her right side wouldn’t move. What she was experiencing was a large vessel occlusion stroke, a serious type of stroke caused by a blockage in one of the brain’s major arteries.
Recognizing something was wrong, Mackenzie’s teammate immediately called their lacrosse coach, who instructed them to call 911 without hesitation. It was a critical decision, and a powerful example of young people recognizing symptoms and activating emergency care. Their quick action ensured Mackenzie reached care teams at Mercy Health — St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio, as quickly as possible, where time-sensitive treatment could begin.
At St. Rita’s, care teams moved rapidly to assess Mackenzie’s condition and begin treatment. Her medical course included IV thrombolytics – medication designed to dissolve blood clots – and preparation for a mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure used to remove blockages in large vessels. By the time the interventional team reached the blocked vessel, something remarkable had happened: the clot had already dissolved.
“What’s remarkable about Mackenzie’s case is how effectively the clot responded to thrombolytic therapy before we even needed to intervene procedurally,” said Akram Shhadeh, MD, the interventional physician overseeing Mackenzie’s stroke care and planned thrombectomy procedure. “That kind of outcome highlights both the power of early treatment and the importance of having advanced stroke capabilities readily available.”
Because of the speed of her teammates' responses to EMS and the hospital care team, Mackenzie avoided major long-term deficits. She experienced some fatigue and mild delays on her right side during recovery, but was able to walk and regain independence.
Mackenzie is deeply grateful for how quickly those around her acted. “When something like a stroke happens, every minute matters,” she explained. “Their response played a huge role in making sure I got medical care quickly.”
“Mackenzie’s story shows how critical it is for anyone, regardless of age, to recognize the signs of stroke and act immediately,” added Mariah Lineberry, PA-C, who responded to Mackenzie’s stroke alert, reviewed imaging and worked closely with both Mackenzie’s family and the overseeing physician throughout her care. “Her teammates did exactly the right thing by calling for help without hesitation. And seeing Mackenzie regain her independence so quickly is exactly why we do this work. Early intervention doesn’t just save lives — it preserves quality of life.”
During National Stroke Awareness Month, Mackenzie’s experience serves as a meaningful reminder for all of us: When it comes to stroke, every second matters – and acting fast can change everything.
