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Heartfelt Stories – Michael’s Resilience Through Life’s Challenges

Sarah Valentin, RN; Mike Mika; and Helen Gorecki-Quinn, RN standing in a hospital corridor, smiling warmly, with a sense of teamwork and dedication to patient care
Heartfelt Stories - Michael's Resilience Through Life's Challenges
Michael Mika's Unyielding Spirit and the Life-Saving Care at MCH

Heartfelt Stories

At Monadnock Community Hospital, we are proud to share our Heartfelt Stories featuring inspiring testimonials from our patients, employees, volunteers, donors, and community members. Each story reflects the exceptional care, support, and compassion that define our commitment to our community. Join us in celebrating these remarkable journeys and the difference compassionate care can make.

From Surviving Nazi-Occupied Paris to Overcoming Stroke with MCH

Jaffrey resident Michael Mika is no stranger to adversity. Born in Nazi-occupied Paris, Mike and his family survived the D-Day invasion in Normandy in 1944. Years later, he disarmed a robbery suspect as a highly decorated New York City police detective. He was critically injured in a horrific car accident on Route 202 in Peterborough in 2015. And if that wasn’t enough, a debilitating bout with Crohn’s disease nearly cost him his life in 2016.

His latest challenge took place last summer. “I woke up and couldn’t move my left arm,” says Mike. “I knew I was having a stroke.”

As Mike was being rushed to MCH, first responders used Telestroke technology, a combination of video conferencing and image sharing, to diagnose the severity of his stroke. Quickly and accurately diagnosing a stroke is essential to the long-term prognosis of the patient. Using this technology, MCH treated 18 stroke patients between July and December 2018.

Upon his arrival, Mike was treated by MCH neurologist Dr. Sachin Dave. “Dr. Dave has made a tremendous difference in my life,” says Mike. “He’s personable and takes a lot of time with me. He has gone above and beyond in my opinion.”

Despite everything he’s gone through, Mike considers himself a lucky man. “I’ve been to a lot of hospitals over the years, but MCH has been my mainstay. I’m so lucky the Hospital is as close as it is.” Spoken like a man who knows a thing or two about close calls.

Pictured left to right: Sarah Valentin, RN; Mike Mika; and Helen Gorecki-Quinn, RN

emergency department