Saint Joseph Medical Center is Nationally Recognized for Commitment to High-Quality Stroke Care
The American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Gold Plus award highlights excellence in stroke care
JOLIET, IL (August 19, 2025) – Saint Joseph Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, 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. This recognition reflects the hospital’s dedication to improving survival rates, recovery times, and quality of life for stroke patients.
The hospital is a Comprehensive Stroke Center equipped with sophisticated neurosurgical suites to treat stroke patients. Most recently, Prime Healthcare invested in a new surgical C-arm as well as advanced neuro-mapping software for the neuro and stroke teams to perform brain surgery in the event of a significant stroke.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or bursts. Without oxygen, brain cells die, making early detection and treatment critical to improving outcomes and reducing long-term disability.
Get With The Guidelines® brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to hospitals nationwide, promoting adherence to the latest evidence-based practices. Consistent use of these guidelines has been shown to improve patient outcomes, minimize long-term effects, and prevent death.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Saint Joseph 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 systems, families, and communities.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating their commitment to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines® participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“These recognitions highlight the skill and dedication of our physicians, nurses, and stroke response teams who provide exceptional care to our patients every day,” said Colleen Pawlik, interim CEO of Saint Joseph Medical Center. “As a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, we are proud to serve as a regional resource for advanced stroke care. Backed by Prime Healthcare’s continued investment, Saint Joseph Medical Center is equipped with the expertise and technology needed to deliver life-saving treatment quickly and effectively for our community.”
In addition to the Gold Plus recognition, Saint Joseph Medical Center received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award for meeting national benchmarks in timely thrombolytic therapy, as well as the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award for ensuring stroke patients with diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care. The hospital’s designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center further underscores its role as a regional leader in advanced stroke treatment, featuring the systems and expertise required for rapid diagnosis and intervention.
Saint Joseph Medical Center has also been recognized nationally for quality and equity. The hospital has earned recognitions from the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, Patient Safety, and Health Equity, and was among several Prime hospitals recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for delivering care that meets or exceeds the national standard.
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About Saint Joseph Medical Center
Saint Joseph Medical Center is a Joint Commission–accredited, 489-bed hospital and the leading provider of healthcare in the Joliet area. As a Level II Trauma Center with Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) designation and a Comprehensive Stroke Center, it delivers advanced neuro and stroke care with the latest technologies and a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services. The hospital also offers expertise in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s health, along with minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures that support faster recovery and same-day discharges.