June 30, 2026 – HCA Florida JFK Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring that people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. The award recognizes the hospital’s efforts to help save lives and reduce disability through evidence-based stroke care.
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S., 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.
Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care aligns with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, helping minimize the long-term effects of stroke and reduce preventable deaths.
“HCA Florida JFK Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for every patient we serve,” said Ken West, chief executive officer of HCA Florida JFK Hospital. “Get With The Guidelines helps our care teams apply proven science at the bedside, supporting timely treatment and better recovery. This recognition reflects our ongoing focus on improving outcomes and helping people across Palm Beach County live longer, healthier lives.”
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants provide education that helps patients manage their recovery and ongoing health after they return home.
“We are proud to recognize HCA Florida JFK 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 a greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates—a meaningful benefit for healthcare systems, families and communities.”
In addition to the Gold Plus award, HCA Florida JFK Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Advanced Therapy award for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.
HCA Florida JFK Hospital is also certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV, reflecting the highest level of competence in the treatment of serious stroke events. This designation recognizes the hospital’s ability to provide rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment and coordinated care for patients with the most complex stroke conditions.
About HCA Florida JFK Hospital
Celebrating 60 years of service to Palm Beach County, HCA Florida JFK Hospital is a 516-bed acute care hospital serving Atlantis and the surrounding communities. The hospital offers a broad range of specialized services, including emergency care, heart and vascular care, neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer and breast care, comprehensive stroke services, orthopedic and spine surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, weight loss surgery, inpatient rehabilitation and women’s services. As a Statutory Teaching Hospital, HCA Florida JFK Hospital is committed to advancing healthcare through graduate medical education, clinical research and physician training. Part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the hospital combines decades of experience with innovation and patient-centered care to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.