Adventist HealthCare Hospitals Earn National Honors for Excellence in Heart and Stroke Care
GAITHERSBURG, MD – Adventist HealthCare's Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center have once again been honored by the American Heart Association for delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing stroke and heart attack emergencies.
Both hospitals earned the 2026 Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll in recognition of their commitment to following the latest treatment guidelines and improving outcomes for stroke patients. Stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to reducing disability and improving recovery.
In addition, Shady Grove Medical Center received Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus designation, recognizing the hospital’s achievement in providing advanced stroke care and meeting rigorous quality measures.
Both hospitals were also recognized for their dedication to evidence-based treatment of patients experiencing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), a serious type of heart attack caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Prompt diagnosis and treatment help prevent further heart damage and improve patient outcomes.
Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Silver Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes, highlighting their commitment to delivering high quality, research driven cardiac care and improving the health of patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Also, both hospitals earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation awards for dedication to delivering guideline-based care for in-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately helping to improve survival rates.
In addition, White Oak also was recognized with the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Bronze award, which recognizes hospitals that use strict, research-backed medical guidelines to provide 24/7 emergency support and rapid treatment of STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). A STEMI is the most severe type of heart attack and occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked, stopping blood flow to the heart.
"This recognition is a testament to the collaboration, expertise and dedication of our stroke and heart care teams," said Neil Roy, MD, chief medical officer at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. "By working together and consistently following evidence-based protocols, we help ensure our patients receive high-quality care when it matters most."
"We are incredibly honored to receive these prestigious awards from AHA," noted James Rost, MD, vice president and chief medical officer at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center. "They highlight the dedication of our team members in going above and beyond to enhance the quality and safety of care for patients each day."
These awards build on Adventist HealthCare’s longstanding commitment to excellence in cardiovascular and stroke care. White Oak Medical Center has a rich history of innovation in heart care, including several regional milestones. Shady Grove Medical Center continues to be a leader in advanced stroke treatment in its region. It remains the only Maryland hospital outside Baltimore to hold The Joint Commission's Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification, recognizing excellence in advanced stroke intervention and post-procedure care. Additionally, Shady Grove is the only Maryland hospital to earn the American College of Cardiology's 2026 HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence.
