Clark Regional Medical Center is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care

WINCHESTER, Ky. (July 29, 2025) — Clark Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. For efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, Clark Regional Medical Center has also received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award.

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.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“Clark Regional Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Matt Smith, CEO Clark Regional Medical Center. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better.”

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Clark Regional Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., 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, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

“Patients and health care professionals in Clark County and Eastern Kentucky face unique health care challenges and opportunities,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Clark Regional Medical Center has furthered this important work to improve care for all Americans, regardless of where they live.”

To learn more about Clark Regional Medical Center’s stroke care, please visit ClarkRegional.org. To find a provider, call 888.847.3627 (DOCS).