Nurse Detects Stroke by Phone and Saves a Life

Watch Greg’s Story

In this short video, Greg and his wife Carol detail what happened the day of Greg's stroke, the phone call that saved his life and his amazing recovery. 

What began as a typical morning quickly took a serious turn for lifelong Battle Creek resident, Greg Habenicht. On Nov. 5, 2024, a series of personal connections and one nurse’s instincts set off a chain of events that helped him survive a stroke and begin a strong recovery.

When Greg’s wife, Carol, left that morning to volunteer at the polls for Election Day, Greg was feeling fine. But not long after, he remembers starting to feel “off,” falling in and out of sleep and feeling disoriented.

Later that morning, he received a phone call from Season Willi, a registered nurse at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, to discuss an upcoming surgery for a friend Greg helps care for. Season, who is a longtime family friend and went to school with Greg’s daughters, noticed that his speech sounded unusual. Trusting her clinical instincts, she suspected a possible stroke and called 911.

When emergency responders arrived, Greg was responsive but disoriented. Paramedics recognized the seriousness of his symptoms and transported him directly to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, where he would receive the highest level of stroke care.

Carol learned what happened to Greg when a neighbor called to say she saw an ambulance at their home. Officers from the local police department, who knew Carol from her 24 years with the department, also alerted her and arranged a ride home from the polling place where she was volunteering. There, she met her daughter, Lacey Peek, a registered nurse at Bronson. Together, they left for Kalamazoo and arrived just as Greg was being admitted.

Once in the emergency department, imaging confirmed that Greg had a major stroke. He showed signs of facial drooping, slurred speech and right-sided weakness. However, too much time had passed since his symptoms began to safely administer tPA, a standard clot-busting medication.

That’s when Neuroendovascular Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Liu determined that Greg needed an emergency thrombectomy to remove the clot and restore blood flow.

“Thrombectomy is a surgical procedure that is used when a blood clot is blocking a large artery,” said Courtney Vanderbroek, a certified physician assistant in neurology and a member of Greg’s care team. “The earlier we intervene, the more neurological function we can preserve.”

Carol found comfort and compassion from Greg’s care team, who made sure she was well informed every step of the way and throughout Greg’s entire hospital stay.

“Everyone explained everything clearly,” said Carol. “It was scary, but I never felt alone.”

After a successful surgery, Greg was admitted to the Neurocritical Care Unit, where he was monitored by neurologist Dr. Larry Morgan and the neurocritical care team.

Further testing showed that Greg had previously experienced transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs—mini strokes that can be warning signs of a more serious stroke. Doctors believe Greg’s TIAs were likely caused by undiagnosed atrial fibrillation, or AFib, a heart condition that often presents without symptoms. Greg now receives specialized care from a Bronson cardiologist.

After his discharge, Greg continued his recovery at home. Amy Boulanger, a longtime family friend and registered nurse who provides care through Bronson at Home, helped coordinate his rehabilitation and provided ongoing support.

Carol described Greg’s entire Bronson care team as “simply outstanding.”

“I’m the type of person who would speak up if something wasn’t right—and I had nothing to complain about,” she said. “Bronson did an amazing job.”

Carol also expressed gratitude for the people who stepped in to help—neighbors, friends and emergency responders.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a strong network of friends in this community,” she said. “When we have a hiccup in life, they’re always right there for us. Even now, they still check in, send messages and stop by to see how we’re doing.”

Initially, the family didn’t know who called 911 for Greg. After some digging, they confirmed it was Season Willi, the preoperative nurse at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital who called Greg that morning about his friend’s surgery. They quickly realized that Season was someone they knew personally. Later, Greg had the chance to thank her in person.

“Everything fell into place because of that call from Season,” Carol said. “If Season hadn’t acted, his stroke could have gone undetected, which would have led to a very different outcome.”

Because of her quick action and dedication to care, Season received a Bronson Safety Hero Award. Season is also being honored by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) with a Speak Up! Award, which recognizes the efforts of those who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients.

Today, Greg is back to many of the hobbies he enjoys, including his passion for woodworking—a skill he carried over from his career as a patternmaker. Recently, he completed a special piece for his granddaughter, his first since the stroke. In addition to getting back to what he enjoys most, he’s made healthy lifestyle changes to reduce his risk for stroke.

Through it all, Carol remains a steady and loving presence in her husband’s recovery. She continues to advocate for his care, encourage his independence and celebrate each step moving forward.

Greg’s story is a powerful reminder that lives are saved not only through fast action and expert medical care, but also through the unwavering support of those who stand by our side. It’s a testament to instinct, teamwork and the strength of a connected and compassionate community.

Recognize the Signs of Stroke: BE FAST

• Balance: Sudden loss of coordination or stability
• Eyes: Sudden changes in vision
• Face: Facial drooping or uneven appearance
• Arms: Arm weakness on one side
• Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Time: Call 911 right away

“When a patient presents to the hospital with stroke symptoms, this is a medical emergency and time is very important,” said Jamie Warner, stroke nurse navigator. “Each minute a stroke goes untreated, two billion brain cells die. This increases the risk of permanent brain damage, disability and life-threatening complications.”

Every stroke is different. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 right away—even if the symptoms go away. Paramedics can begin life-saving care on the way to the hospital and alert the medical team, so they’re ready to start diagnosis and treatment as soon as you arrive.

Bronson Methodist Hospital is recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals and is ranked #1 in Michigan for Stroke Care according to Healthgrades. It is certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center—the highest level of stroke certification available. Bronson Battle Creek Hospital is designated as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital and has received five-star recognition for stroke care from Healthgrades in its 2025 Report to the Nation.

Learn more at bronsonhealth.com/stroke.