Adventist HealthCare Hospitals Earn National Honors for Excellence in Stroke and Heart Attack Care
Gaithersburg, Maryland - Montgomery County-based Adventist HealthCare hospitals Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center have been recognized by the American Heart Association for their commitment to treating patients following the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines for stroke and cardiovascular care.
Both hospitals received the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, recognizing hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for patients who have experienced a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clot or ruptured vessel, preventing critical oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain. Timely recognition and treatment are essential to improving survival rates, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
Both hospitals were also recognized for delivering research-based care to patients experiencing STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) and NSTEMI (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) cardiac events. STEMIs, caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, require rapid intervention to restore blood flow and save heart muscle. NSTEMIs involve a partial blockage and demand timely treatment. Each year, more than 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a heart attack, making quick, standardized care critical to improving survival and recovery.
Shady Grove earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Bronze Plus and the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Bronze Award, while White Oak Medical Center received the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Bronze Award and the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Bronze Award.
"Our goal has always been to provide the kind of care we’d want for our own loved ones," said Neil Roy, MD, chief medical officer, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. "Being recognized by the American Heart Association is an honor, but what matters most is knowing our stroke and heart care is making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors, families and friends throughout the community."
"This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the dedication and expertise our team brings to every patient encounter," added James Rost, MD, chief medical officer, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center. "It reflects our commitment to clinical excellence, and the compassion that drives us to ensure every stroke and cardiac patient receives the best possible care, when every second counts."
The recognition continues Adventist HealthCare’s decades-long tradition of excellence in stroke and cardiovascular care. White Oak Medical Center is credited with many regional firsts in heart care, including the first heart bypass surgery, first carotid artery stent procedure and first comprehensive heart program. Shady Grove Medical Center has earned distinction in stroke care and is the only Maryland hospital outside of the Baltimore area to hold The Joint Commission’s Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification for upholding rigorous standards in performing advanced stroke treatment and providing patients with post-procedure care.
