Ascension Saint Thomas Nationally Recognized for Commitment to Excellence in Stroke Care

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award for demonstrating commitment to delivering evidence-based, life-saving stroke care

Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, Rutherford and West have received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plusquality achievement award for its 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.

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.

"Every minute counts when someone is experiencing a stroke," said Dr. Frank Lafranchise, executive medical director of the neuroscience program at Ascension Saint Thomas. "This recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, EMS partners and care teams to rapidly identify stroke symptoms, deliver evidence-based treatment and give patients the best possible chance for recovery."

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and West also received the American Heart Association's Target: Stroke Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient's arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.

In addition, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and West received the American Heart Association's Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Advanced Therapy award by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient's arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, Rutherford and West 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.

Award Summary

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy Award
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy Award
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award