Boston, Massachusetts – 

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center today announced several new awards and achievements in recognition of their high-quality stroke care. The hospital received the American Heart Association’s GoldPlus Get With The Guidelines® –a quality achievement award for the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the highest quality care according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

St. Elizabeth’s was one of only two Massachusetts hospitals to also receive the Association’s Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus in addition to the Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. Along with these high honors, St. Elizabeth’s has attained advanced certification by The Joint Commission for providing the next generation of stroke care.

“These awards are true testaments to St. Elizabeth’s dedication to helping our patients have the best possible care after a stroke,” said Dr. Anna Hohler, Chair of the Department of Neurology. “We thank the American Heart Association and the Joint Commission for these prestigious recognitions, and we look forward to continuing our focus towards high-quality stroke care.”

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.

About St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, a Boston University Teaching Hospital, offers patients access to some of Boston's most respected physicians and advanced treatments for a full-range of medical specialties, including family medicine, cardiovascular care, women and infants' health, cancer care, neurology care, and orthopedics. The 308-bed tertiary care facility is part of Steward Health Care.

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 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

About Steward Health Care 

Nearly a decade ago, Steward Health Care System emerged as a different kind of health care company designed to usher in a new era of wellness. One that provides our patients better, more proactive care at a sustainable cost, our providers unrivaled coordination of care, and our communities greater prosperity and stability.

As the country’s largest physician-led, tax paying, integrated health care system, our doctors can be certain that we share their interests and those of their patients. Together we are on a mission to revolutionize the way health care is delivered - creating healthier lives, thriving communities and a better world.

Steward is among the nation’s largest and most successful accountable care organizations (ACO), with more than 5,500 providers and 43,000 health care professionals who care for 12.3 million patients a year through a closely integrated network of hospitals, multispecialty medical groups, urgent care centers, skilled nursing facilities and behavioral health centers.

Based in Dallas, Steward currently operates 39 hospitals across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.

For more information, visit www.steward.org.