CommonSpirit in Kentucky Recognized for Quality Stroke Care

LEXINGTON, Ky., (September 21, 2026) - CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington, CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - London and CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington have received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for their commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.

Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.

Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.

"Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines," said Terry Wooten, MHA, President of CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington. "Get With The Guidelines helps our teams put proven science into practice every day."

"Saint Joseph Hospital - London is dedicated to patient care and seeks to excel at the guidelines and standards in place," said John Yanes, President of CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - London. "Research shows that applying these standards every day can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping people in our community live longer, healthier lives."

"This recognition by the American Heart Association is a testament to the dedication of our caregivers at Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington," says Jarrett Millsaps, FACHE, President of CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington. "To receive the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus recognition reinforces our commitment to our patients and the Lexington community in providing high-quality, patient-centered care."

Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.

"We are proud to recognize CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington, CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - London and CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington for their commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke," said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. "Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates - a meaningful benefit for health care systems, families and communities."

CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington, CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Hospital - London and CommonSpirit Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington also received the American Heart Association's Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

About CommonSpirit in Kentucky

CommonSpirit Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in Kentucky with 100 locations in 15 cities, including hospitals, clinician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory care center. The health system, formerly known as Saint Joseph Health, has been a member of CommonSpirit since 2019 with seven hospitals serving Lexington, Bardstown, Berea, Mount Sterling, London, and surrounding communities, and a freestanding emergency room with additional services in Nicholasville. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CommonSpirit is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all, embodying a strong mission, faith-based heritage and legacy of exceptional care, and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington

CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington is a 433-bed hospital located in Lexington, KY. Established in 1877 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky and is a nationally recognized tertiary facility. Saint Joseph Hospital is Lexington's first hospital. The hospital's original mission was to provide compassionate care to the poor and underserved - a tradition still carried out today and reflected in CommonSpirit's adoption of the Saint Joseph Hospital name for its hospitals in Kentucky.

About CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington

CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington includes a 217-bed full service community hospital, women's hospital, medical office building and specialty clinics located in the southeastern area of Lexington, KY. Established in 1983, the campus serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky, providing a comprehensive range of health care services including ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care, women's health services and advanced orthopedic care supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient programs.

About CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - London

CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - London is a 150-bed full-service hospital located in London, KY. Established in 1926, the facility serves patients from southeastern Kentucky, including those from Clay, Laurel, Jackson, Whitley, Knox and Pulaski counties. The current $152 million regional hospital opened in 2010, and offers all private patient rooms, with most overlooking a small lake and garden on the 52-acre healing environment.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.