Dan Gilbert discharged from hospital, company says
Detroit — Quicken Loans Inc. founder and Detroit billionaire booster Dan Gilbert, who had a stroke last month, has been discharged from a hospital, company officials said Thursday.
"Yesterday, Dan Gilbert was discharged from the hospital and will now continue focusing on his recovery at an in-patient rehabilitation center," Quicken CEO Jay Farner said in a statement.
Inpatient rehabilitation typically is the next step toward recovery for stroke patients after their hospital stay. The 57-year-old Franklin businessman went to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak on May 25 because he was feeling poorly. He had a stroke while at the hospital early the following morning, Quicken Loans officials have said.
"The entire family is incredibly grateful for the world-class care Dan received from the entire staff of Beaumont Hospital," Farner said. "Dan is looking forward to beginning an intensive rehabilitation program and is eager to continue the progress he has made over the last several weeks."
More: Dan Gilbert hospitalized with stroke symptoms
Few details have been offered on Gilbert's diagnosis or prognosis. A day following his stroke, Farner said Gilbert underwent a "catheter-based procedure" and added the day after that he was "improving by the hour."
Doctors at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University who have not treated Gilbert said the catheter procedure is indicative of treatment for a severe ischemic stroke in which a large clot blocks blood supply to the brain. Brain cells begin to die because of the lack of oxygen and can lead to brain damage, disability or death. Symptoms of stroke can include difficulties with speaking, walking, seeing, paralysis on one side of the body or a sudden headache.
Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and can result in serious disability in adults. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity and age.
Although it depends on which vessel the clot affected and how long after the stroke treatment was received, doctors usually contact physical and occupational therapists a day after treatment of a stroke for an evaluation. A speech pathologist also may be called. They determine what sort of rehabilitation the patient likely will need.
Most patients are able to move onto rehabilitation within a week. Gilbert left the hospital 24 days after his stroke. It is unclear if he had begun rehab prior to then.
Typically inpatient rehab for three hours or more a day may continue for two to three weeks. Patients then may partake in therapy in an outpatient setting as appropriate for months following.
A majority of the recovery occurs within three to six months, though ongoing recovery can occur through the first year following the stroke.
Part of Detroit's turnaround has been credited to Gilbert's investment in the city's central business district. His Bedrock real estate firm and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion in its efforts to help revitalize Detroit.
Gilbert moved his employees from Livonia and other suburbs to a Detroit headquarters starting in 2010. Now, Gilbert's Rock Family of Companies employs 17,000 people downtown.
Some people have expressed concerns that Gilbert's illness could cause delays for his various high-profile projects such as the skyscraper scheduled to be built along Woodward Avenue on the old Hudson's department store site.
Quicken Loans Vice Chairman Bill Emerson addressed those concerns earlier this month during the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference, saying: "We know what the mission is. We know what to do.”
In his statement Thursday, Farner also expressed gratitude for the well-wishes the community has expressed.
"The Gilbert family is thankful," he wrote, "for the tremendous outpouring of support they have received."
bnoble@detroitnews.com