A former singer with the New York City and San Diego operas, Simon-Muller suffered her stoke last summer, several days after experiencing a heart attack.
The gathering offered stroke survivors a place to hear the stories of others who had gone through the same ordeal, as well as learn how to carry on afterward.
"I think it does very well to spread awareness," Concepcion, 34, said.
She said her stroke opened her eyes to the importance of getting the message of the disease out to the community.
"I think one of the issues was that I didn't know much about stroke, even though my dad died of one," she said. "I think it is wonderful for people to hear some positive stories of people who have survived."
A stroke is normally caused when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot.
Along with the two women, Dr. Lance Lee, medical director of Adventist's Stroke Center, also addressed the crowd, answering dozens of questions and giving suggestions on how to prevent strokes and how to function after having one.
"You have to look at the risk factors: hypertension, obesity, drinking and smoking," he said after his presentation. "Once you have a stroke, you have to come to the hospital as soon as possible."
During discussions with the audience, Lee pointed out that it was important that stroke victims get to a hospital that has proper equipment and technicians to handle the situation.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations — a national body that sets standards and gives accreditation to health care facilities — has only accredited one Primary Stroke Center in Los Angeles County, and that belongs to the Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center, Glendale Adventist spokeswoman Alicia Gonzales said.
The accreditation means that this facility has all necessary equipment to deal with a stroke patient.
Adventist has its own stroke center in its new west medical tower and is aiming to be the region's second accredited center, Gonzales said.
Glendale Adventist officials are planning to add new programs to their neuroscience department, including a neuro-rehabilitation program, a program to help stroke survivors readapt to everyday life, and a stroke survivors group, said Cynthia Cabatan-Awang, director of neuroscience services.
"We really want to educate people, because stroke is a very devastating event," she said.
"For survivors, we want to retrain them to go back to their functional state."
This may be good news to survivor Laura Ramirez, of Eagle Rock, who is hoping for more frequent gatherings of this type.
"I think it's very good, very informative — this is something we should have every so often," she said.
