FirstHealth hospitals have again been recognized by the American Heart Association for excellence in stroke and heart failure care. The Get With The Guidelines – Stroke and Heart Failure quality achievement awards are earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating these patients according to the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines.

This year, FirstHealth hospitals achieved the following awards for stroke and heart failure care:

Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst

•  Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
•  Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
•  Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Gold

Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond

•  Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
•  Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Bronze

Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke

•  Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Montgomery Memorial Hospital, Troy

•  Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Silver

“Our team is honored to once again be recognized with the Get with the Guidelines Stroke

awards,” said Melanie Blacker, M.D., stroke program director, in a press release. “This achievement helps emphasize our commitment to excellence in stroke care and our dedication to using the latest evidence-based practices to ensure the best possible care for our patients affected by stroke.”

Stroke is the No. 5 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 stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing

disability and accelerating recovery times.

“From medication education to comprehensive exams, our phenomenal heart failure team is

continuously working to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure,” said Aubrey Kinsman, PA-C, provider at the FirstHealth Heart Failure Clinic, in a press release. “Our goal is to continue striving for excellence and providing these services at the highest level possible. We are honored to have these efforts recognized through the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines awards.”