Portsmouth, N.H. — Catholic Medical Center, Parkland Medical Center and Portsmouth Regional Hospital, all part of the HCA Healthcare network, have each received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke award demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
The three hospitals also received the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition. This recognition is awarded to hospitals that make sure stroke patients with Type 2 Diabetes get the right care to manage their condition, which is important for recovery and preventing future strokes.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update. Studies show patients experience better recovery when providers consistently follow 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 evidence- and research-based guidelines.
As participants in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Catholic Medical Center, Parkland Medical Center and Portsmouth Regional Hospital qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.
“These awards show HCA New England Healthcare hospitals’ commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, HCA New England Healthcare hospitals can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
“For 14 years, Catholic Medical Center has proudly participated in Get With The Guidelines®,” said John Skevington, chief executive offers of Catholic Medical Center. “Over the past two years, that commitment has been recognized with Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. These honors highlight the dedication of our physicians, nurses and care teams to providing patients with the very best, evidence-based stroke care when every second counts.”
“This is the seventh consecutive year that Parkland Medical Center has been nationally recognized with the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus recognition – a testament to our care team’s commitment to providing exceptional stroke care,” said Whitney Fenyak, chief executive officer of Parkland Medical Center. “This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort from our EMS personnel, emergency physicians, cardiologists, radiologists, neurologists, and members of the stroke care teams, whose commitment to providing life-saving care to people in our communities is demonstrated every day.”
"As the only Comprehensive Stroke Center on the Seacoast—and one of just two in New Hampshire—Portsmouth Regional Hospital is proud to deliver advanced stroke care with speed, precision, and compassion," said Sean Patterson, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Regional Hospital. "Receiving this recognition for the tenth consecutive year underscores our team’s dedication to following best practices and achieving positive outcomes. It’s a clear reflection of our commitment to providing the highest standard of stroke care to the patients we serve."