She Spent Years Improving Stroke Care, Then It Helped Save Her Sister
Key Highlights
- ➤160 thrombectomies performed by AdventHealth Orlando last year
- ➤Robin Vannes reached the procedure room 21 minutes after hospital arrival
- ➤First clot retrieval occurred 49 minutes after hospital arrival
- ➤Medtronic Solitaire X device successfully removed Robin Vannes’s clot
Expert Statements
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“I immediately knew my sister was having a major stroke”
Robin Vannes, Stroke survivor
“I didn't know much about stroke symptoms until it happened”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“Every minute counts in stroke care”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“The faster we restore blood flow to the brain, the more brain function we can save.”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“Scott has been part of this journey for years”
Scott Bowen, Territory manager for Medtronic Neurovascular
“She's passionate”
Scott Bowen, Territory manager for Medtronic Neurovascular
“Every minute at work revolved around stroke and making the program better, finding ways to shave off a few minutes so patients might have a better outcome.”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“It was surreal to watch the system we spent years building activate to save my own sister”
Robin Vannes, Stroke survivor
“I'm more appreciative now”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“When I think about the 160 thrombectomies we performed last year, I think about 160 families who may have gotten their loved one back”
Robin Vannes, Stroke survivor
“That's the big thing”
Heather Vannes, AdventHealth Orlando stroke-care professional
“recognize the signs and call 911”
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 3, 2026 / Medtronic
Heather Vannes spent years shaving minutes off stroke care. When her sister collapsed on an ordinary afternoon, every one of those minutes counted.
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