American College of Emergency Physicians Awards Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation
JOLIET, IL (Sept. 17, 2025) – Saint Joseph Medical Center a member of Prime Healthcare has been recognized by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) with a Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA), affirming the hospital’s commitment to providing specialized, compassionate care for older adults in the community. With this recognition, Saint Joseph Medical Center becomes the only hospital in the region to achieve this national accreditation, underscoring its leadership in advancing care for older adults.
“The GEDA program is the culmination of years of progress in emergency care of older adults,” said Sandy Schneider, MD, of ACEP. She explained, “In 2014, ACEP along with the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Nurses Association, and American Geriatrics Society, developed and released geriatric ED guidelines, recommending measures ranging from adding geriatric-friendly equipment to specialized staff, to more routine screenings for delirium, dementia, and fall risk, among other vulnerabilities.”
Colleen Pawlik, Interim CEO of Saint Joseph Medical Center, emphasized the hospital’s dedication to meeting community needs. “When we became part of the Prime Healthcare family, we committed to actively assessing and addressing the unmet needs of our communities. This accreditation reflects our focus on providing the highest standards of care for older adults in our community. Led by a remarkable team of interdisciplinary leaders and our dedicated nurses and techs, this achievement signals to the public that older adults in our care can expect excellence at every step.”
Dr. Sunil Patel, Regional Chief Medical Officer of Prime Healthcare, underscored the significance of the recognition. “As a physician-led health system, Prime Healthcare is dedicated to clinical excellence and addressing unmet healthcare needs in our communities. Nationally recognized for quality, Prime has expanded vital mental health services across the country at a time when access is critical — especially for older adults. This recognition underscores their ongoing commitment to providing care that improves outcomes and makes a lasting difference for patients, families, and communities.”
The GEDA program, developed by ACEP, includes three levels of accreditation that guide emergency departments in best practices for geriatric care. To achieve accreditation, hospitals must adopt more than two dozen standards — from providing interdisciplinary geriatric education to ensuring geriatric-appropriate equipment and screening protocols are in place.
Jennifer Radtke, Director of Emergency Services Nursing, noted that this milestone is only the beginning. “While it took a lot of teamwork, resources and commitment to achieve this accreditation, like many things in healthcare, our focus on our communities’ geriatric population is a journey rather than a destination. We will be reassessed in three years and are committed to building on this foundation to continue raising the bar for excellence in all care we provide.”
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About Saint Joseph Medical Center
Saint Joseph Medical Center is a Joint Commission-accredited, 489-bed facility and the leading hospital in the Joliet area, providing comprehensive specialty services and 24/7 emergency care in a Level II Trauma Center. The hospital is designated as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) and holds Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. Saint Joseph’s is also certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, excelling in neuro and stroke care through the latest imaging and interventional technologies.
A multidisciplinary team delivers a full continuum of care, from diagnosis to treatment, for a wide range of neurological disorders, supported by a robust outpatient program offering neurology, neurosurgery, stroke care, and neuro endovascular surgery. Expertise also extends to cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s health. Patients benefit from advanced minimally invasive options, including robotic-assisted surgery that allows for shorter recovery times and, in many cases, same-day discharge. Maternity specialists provide personalized birthing experiences complemented by advanced neonatal care for infants requiring specialized support.