L to R:David Theroux – CEO, Tracy Victory – Emergency Department Director, Temiela Blackman – Chief Quality Officer, Sandra Carrion-Colon- Nursing Supervisor and Dakota Redd – CNO

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Rural Recognition Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards recognize hospitals for their commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care while addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.

July 2026— Hendry Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has received 5 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.

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 science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, HRMC qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.

“HRMC is committed to delivering high-quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely, appropriate care for heart attacks and strokes,” Sandra Carrion-Colon, “Get With The Guidelines programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, supporting better outcomes so more people in Hendry county can live longer, healthier lives.”

This year, HRMC received these achievement awards:

Acute Heart Attack Ready GWTG Achievement Awards:

  • Coronary Artery Disease-STEMI Referring 2026 (Bronze)
  • Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS (Silver)
  • Coronary Artery Disease Chest Pain-(Silver Plus)
  • Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI (Gold)

Stroke

  • Rural Acute Stroke-(Gold)

“These awards reflect HRMC’s commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, HRMC can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”

CONTACT:
Hendry Regional Medical Center | Megan Young | 863.983.2735 | myoung@hrmc.us