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On July 7, 2023, Sue Zankowski woke up at 5:00 in the morning with a severe headache. Knowing something was not right, she woke up her husband, John, who immediately called 911. Within 30 minutes, the Dataw Island resident was in an ambulance headed to Beaufort Memorial.

Upon arriving at the Beaufort Memorial Pratt Emergency Center, Sue quickly underwent a CT scan, and the next thing she remembers, she was in a helicopter being transported to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. After being diagnosed with a brain bleed and spending seven days at MUSC, Sue was able to come back home to Beaufort for the remainder of her recovery. Sue was treated at Beaufort Memorial’s Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit for a week before being discharged home for outpatient care.

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Collaboration is Key

Sue attributes much of her current well-being to the timely and collaborative efforts of her care team, emphasizing the close relationship between Beaufort Memorial and MUSC. She believes that being a part of a community hospital that was well aware of her medical history played a crucial role in her positive outcome.

“Both of the teams at each hospital were extremely encouraging, constantly assuring us that everything was going to be okay and emphasizing the strong relationship between the two organizations. If that synergy between the two did not exist, the outcome could have been drastically different,” Sue says.

Sue Zankowski and her husband John photographed in black and white formalwearAs longtime donors of the Beaufort Memorial Foundation, Sue and John have played a vital role in supporting Beaufort Memorial to ensure that high-quality care remains accessible in the community. In fact, Sue served as chair for the annual Dataw Women’s Golf Tournament in 2006, rallying support and raising awareness for the Keyserling Cancer Center.

Having healthcare resources close to home is imperative, and it is important for people to know that they do not have to travel far to obtain exceptional care. Community hospitals represent the importance of delivering the right care, at the right place, at the right time and Beaufort Memorial aims to serve as that vital resource for the community.

“We are very fortunate to not only have a hospital that cares so deeply about the community, but we are also blessed that Beaufort Memorial continues to grow as we continue to grow,” Sue says.

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Living Life to the Fullest

Sue’s wellness journey since last July has been nothing short of miraculous. She has remained focused on enhancing her overall health and cherishing special moments with her family.

Alongside the rehabilitation at Beaufort Memorial, Sue’s family played a pivotal role in her recovery. John stood by her side every step of the way, providing unwavering support at every turn. Aiding in her recovery, her sister introduced her to the game of Wordle, a web-based word game, and she joined her 4-1/2-year-old grandson in playful rounds of Hedbanz to stimulate cognitive activities.

Unsure of if and when something like this could happen again, Sue often reflects on the words of one of her physicians, “You cannot be afraid to go and live your life.” She expressed that these words serve as a reminder to her to always live life to the fullest and to appreciate the resilience that has brought her through this journey.

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Join Sue Zankowski in ensuring the continuation of high-quality care close to home. Give to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation today.