August 10, 2026
The Valley Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring individuals experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, 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.
According to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, Get With The Guidelines brings the organizations’ expertise into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines.
The Get With The Guidelines - Stroke program is an in-hospital initiative designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, as noted by both organizations. The program aims to minimize the long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association,” said David Rivera, DNP, Assistant Vice President of Medical Surgical Services at The Valley Hospital. “This achievement reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering timely, evidence-based stroke care and improving outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.”
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 The Valley Hospital for its commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, 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.”
To learn more about stroke care at Valley, please visit ValleyHealth.com/Stroke.