When his life depended on it, Ron Drosdzal relied on Beebe

Ron Drosdzal tells people he’s the luckiest person alive. And he means it.

After suffering multiple strokes, Ron says the doctors at Beebe Healthcare’s Emergency Room and vascular program saved his life. Beebe gave him a second chance and he’s taking it, splitting his time between his home in Washington, D.C., and Bethany Beach. Ron goes for walks every day. He golfs more. He holds dear the vacation time he spends with his family, or traveling to March Madness basketball games.

“I was in a life-and-death situation, and I had to act upon it,” Ron said. “I was very fortunate to have a hospital like Beebe that took care of it. It was just the total package.”

It started off as a normal November day when Ron felt his left side go numb. After taking two aspirins, he began to feel better and went to the gym near his Bethany Beach restaurant, Armand’s Pizzeria & Grille. After a few spins on the elliptical, he still didn’t feel right, and his sister took him to the hospital. Ron didn’t know it yet, but a piece of plaque had broken off from his carotid artery and traveled to his brain, causing a stroke.

Dr. Abraham Scheer, Beebe’s medical director of Neurology and Stroke Services, took care of Ron in the Emergency Department, and he was admitted. “Dr. Scheer was excellent,” Ron said.

It was clear that Ron would have to stay the night, and Dr. Scheer reassured him that meeting with Dr. Mayer Katz, who founded Beebe Healthcare’s vascular program in 1989, would be the best thing for him. Dr. Katz and his team answered all Ron’s questions at 7 a.m. the next morning. Ron wanted to stay at Beebe, despite his friend’s suggestion of going to a bigger hospital. With that decision made, Dr. Katz performed a right carotid endarterectomy, and Ron spent the night in the ICU. The next day, he was discharged, but that wasn’t the end of his story. Later that afternoon, he felt his left side go numb again.

Dr. Scheer was waiting in the Emergency Department when Ron arrived, and it was discovered that he had suffered another stroke, leading to another procedure. It was a very frightening time in Ron’s life, but he shares his story to pay tribute to the excellent care he received at Beebe. “The care I got from Dr. Scheer, Dr. Katz, and the team there – they were spot-on with everything they did. The whole staff there was tremendous,” Ron said.

“I’ve never met doctors – Dr. Scheer and Dr. Katz – who were so incredible,” Ron added. “Dr. Katz gave me his cellphone number. We have become really good friends. His follow-through was just amazing. To see how much Dr. Katz enjoys what he does, how good he is – he’s a true professional.”

After Beebe announced plans for a cancer center and free-standing emergency department at its new South Coastal Campus in Millville, Ron held an event at his restaurant to share the news and encourage community support. “Dr. Scheer and Dr. Katz could be at any major hospital anywhere in the country. They are so talented, and we are so lucky to have them here at Beebe Healthcare,” he said. “They’re at looking into bringing some of the newest technology and having some of the best doctors. It gives an added confidence that if something happens, I know I’ll be taken care of.”

As a certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Beebe Healthcare is recognized by emergency medical personnel as a hospital of choice in a stroke emergency. In 2016, Beebe Healthcare earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark. The Joint Commission evaluates compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement.

As a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe depends on the generous support of individuals, corporations, businesses, and private foundations. All gifts, large or small, to Beebe Healthcare, are tax deductible and are channeled through Beebe Medical Foundation. To make a donation or learn more, go to www.beebemedicalfoundation.org, call 302-644-2900 or email foundation@beebehealthcare.org.