Episode 42: 30 years of stroke care: What survivors and caregivers need to know now | Stronger After Stroke

Stroke care has been transformed over the past three decades, and those advances mean something real for survivors and caregivers navigating recovery right now. In this episode, host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, sits down with three Norton Neuroscience Institute staff to break down what the 2024 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association updated stroke guidelines mean for you.

In this episode:

· What stroke program certification means for patients

· The truth about thrombectomy and why calling 911 as soon as possible changes everything

· What neuroplasticity means for recovery, even years after stroke

· Therapies backed by strong evidence that many survivors never hear about

· Why caregivers are now formally part of the standard of care

· What to do when you live far from a major stroke center

Meet the guests:

Jessica Sumner, MSN, R.N., CNS, CEN, director of clinical effectiveness and stroke care for Norton Healthcare, leads stroke program certification and statewide quality improvement efforts across Kentucky and Indiana.

Jeanette Lanoire, P.T., DPT, NCS, is a physical therapist and board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. She has deep expertise in stroke rehabilitation, movement disorders and community-based neurological wellness.

Dimitri Laurent, M.D., is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon known for making complex surgical information clear and approachable for patients and families.

This conversation is not for clinicians. It is for survivors, caregivers and anyone who wants to understand what great stroke care looks like and how to ask for it.

Subscribe to "Stronger After Stroke" for more episodes at the intersection of clinical excellence and real recovery.

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating their recovery.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: May 11, 2026

April 13

Episode 41: Wired to Heal: Hope for Recovery After Pediatric Stroke

On this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host and stroke nurse navigator Rosa Hart interviews Catherine P. Schuster, M.D., a pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Norton Children's. From her years of experience helping patients under age 18 live their best life after stroke, Dr. Schuster explains that pediatric stroke is less common than adult stroke but that rehabilitation teams typically get involved with nearly all cases, starting in the hospital soon after the event and continuing through inpatient rehab, outpatient follow-up and long-term goal-making as children grow.

Dr. Schuster highlights key rehab focuses, such as early positioning to prevent secondary complications; managing the transition from flaccid weakness to tightness with stretches, braces, medications and injections; and adapting tasks with tools and creative problem-solving. She emphasizes children's resilience, the importance of repeatedly asking about resources and options, navigating insurance, and finding pediatric rehab services at major children's hospitals, especially Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers.

Dr. Schuster is assistant professor of pediatric rehabilitation medicine with the University of Louisville Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is dual board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. Dr. Schuster gathers expertise from a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals to offer a comprehensive approach to caring for children and adolescents with conditions affecting motor development, function and independence. Through use of state-of-the-art equipment, advanced rehabilitation techniques and access to progressive research, she is committed to bringing each child to their highest level of function possible for their specific condition.

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians.

Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: April 13, 2026

Title: How Kids Heal After Stroke with Arpita Lakhotia, M.D.

Join us for a conversation with pediatric neurologist Arpita Lakhotia, M.D., director of the Norton Children's Stroke Clinic. Dr. Lakhotia unpacks what life after a pediatric stroke really looks like. She breaks down the recovery journey for children who've experienced stroke, exploring how early recognition, rapid response and a tailored multidisciplinary plan can make all the difference in a child's long-term outcome. You'll hear real-world strategies to help maximize progress through therapy, including physical, occupational and speech support, and how resilience and neuroplasticity work together to unlock healing in young brains. Children's stroke recovery is unique and deeply personal, and Dr. Lakhotia offers clear, compassionate guidance for families navigating each step of that journey.

Whether you're a caregiver seeking practical tools for home support, a survivor's family member adjusting to post-stroke life or someone wanting to understand how pediatric stroke care really works, this conversation delivers hope, expertise and actionable insights. From building strength and confidence in daily routines to working with schools and therapy teams, we dive into ways families can empower their children through recovery while fostering emotional resilience and quality of life. Don't miss this deeply informative discussion that blends knowledge with heart — because every child's recovery story matters.

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available online and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians.

Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: March 9, 2026