A Staten Island woman, Jennifer Guadalupe-Class, survived a life-threatening brain hemorrhage just one month after giving birth, thanks to rapid intervention and coordinated care at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. After experiencing a severe headache and sudden weakness, Guadalupe-Class was brought to the hospital where specialists quickly diagnosed a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
Ting Zhou, MD, neurointensivist and clinical associate professor of neurology, was among the first to treat her. “Her case was high risk,” Dr. Zhou recalled. “Not only was she very young, but she had just given birth weeks earlier.” Immediate endovascular treatment prevented further bleeding and a temporary drain was placed in her brain. When fluid buildup continued, Caleb Rutledge, MD, director of the neurointerventional program at the hospital, implanted a permanent shunt to help drain excess fluid.
Brandon Giglio, MD, director of stroke care at the hospital, later took over Guadalupe-Class’s care during her extended stay in the neuro-intensive care unit. Laura M. Ades, MD—a vascular neurologist—joined as she transitioned to stroke rehabilitation and monitored for complications. “We managed headaches, watched for infection, and partnered closely with rehab so she could safely regain function—especially as a new mom,” said Dr. Ades.
Dr. Rutledge highlighted the importance of collaboration: “Her case underscored how vital it is to have a coordinated multidisciplinary response,” he said. “It was a coordinated effort between departments—neurosurgery, neurology, stroke care, nursing, rehabilitation—every step required seamless communication.”
Dr. Giglio added that consistent updates were crucial: “The key was constant communication even with her family.”
Guadalupe-Class’s wife Krystal Class appreciated this approach: “Every step was explained,” Class said. “We weren’t left wondering what was happening. They treated us like part of the team—and the nurses assigned to her case made us feel like family.”
Inpatient rehabilitation under Charnette Lercara, MD focused on rebuilding strength and cognition through daily therapy sessions tailored for new mothers. Physical therapist Victoria Butler helped transition Guadalupe-Class from using a walker to walking independently while simulating caring for her baby; speech-language pathologist Nina Bernstein worked on memory exercises including memorizing important phone numbers.
“They didn’t just help me walk again. They helped me feel like myself again,” said Guadalupe-Class.
After discharge on August 1st from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn’s inpatient facility (https://nyulangone.org/locations/nyu-langone-hospital-brooklyn), Dr. Ades continued overseeing follow-up care including cognitive assessments and long-term headache management while coordinating home therapy needs.
Dr. Ades stressed ongoing patient support: “We wanted to make sure she not only healed physically but also that she regained her confidence and independence as a new mom,” said Dr. Ades. She emphasized Brooklyn’s close-knit medical community: “Brooklyn is a tight-knit interdisciplinary unit… That closeness translates directly into patient outcomes.”
Maribel Dorta—the patient’s mother who works at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn as a financial system analyst—noted gratitude for her daughter’s recovery ahead of Thanksgiving celebrations: “I truly thought I might bury my only child… This Thanksgiving feels like a second life.” The family plans small gatherings across two homes with traditional dishes reflecting their heritage.
Reflecting on recovery and looking forward after hospitalization at NYU Langone Health—which has been recognized nationally for quality outcomes (https://www.vizientinc.com/newsroom/2023/vizient-announces-2023-quality-and-accountability-ranking) —Guadalupe-Class summarized: “I wake up every day thankful for tomorrow.”
NYU Langone Health operates seven inpatient locations in New York and Florida (https://nyulangone.org/our-locations), two tuition-free medical schools (https://med.nyu.edu/) in Manhattan and Long Island respectively along with extensive outpatient services throughout the region.
