Saint Mary’s Recognized Nationally for High-Quality Stroke Care by the American Heart Association
Reno, Nevada (July 10, 2025) – Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, is honored to have received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, highlighting its dedication to delivering high-quality stroke care in northern Nevada. The hospital was also honored with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll distinctions, recognizing its commitment to rapid treatment and tailored care for patients at higher risk of stroke complications.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with 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, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early detection and adherence to evidence-based treatment are critical to reducing long-term effects and saving lives. The Get With The Guidelines – Stroke program helps hospitals like Saint Mary’s apply the latest research and clinical guidelines to improve patient outcomes.
“Stroke care is time-sensitive, and our team consistently meets or exceeds national benchmarks in delivering treatment quickly and effectively,” said Derrick Glum, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Mary’s Health Network. “This recognition from the American Heart Association reflects the expertise, coordination, and compassion our dedicated healthcare professionals bring to every patient encounter.”
To qualify for Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, hospitals must meet strict criteria that reduce the time between a stroke patient’s arrival and the administration of clot-busting medication. Saint Mary’s also earned placement on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which recognizes hospitals that ensure stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes receive guideline-directed care tailored to their specific needs.
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
This achievement adds to a growing list of national recognitions for Saint Mary’s, including an “A” grade in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group and placement among the top 5% of U.S. hospitals for patient safety by Healthgrades.