The American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Gold Plus award highlights excellence
in stroke care
Chicago, IL (August 19, 2025) — Saint Mary of Nazareth, 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.
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 by a clot 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 Mary of Nazareth Hospital 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 care 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.
“At Saint Mary of Nazareth, our mission is to serve our Chicago communities with compassion paired with excellent care,” said Ellis Hawkin, CEO of Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital. “This recognition from the American Heart Association reflects the dedication of our caregivers and the trust our community places in us. With Prime Healthcare’s support, we are expanding access to advanced treatments and ensuring patients receive life-saving care close to home.”
Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award, which recognizes hospitals that ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes — who face higher risks of stroke complications — receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care.
In addition to these honors, Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital was recently recognized as a High Performing hospital by U.S. News & World Report and received “A” grades from the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility for excellence in equity, value, and patient outcomes.
About Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital
For over a century, Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital, a 361-bed facility in Chicago, has served as a cornerstone of healthcare on Chicago’s near-northwest side, offering specialized and emergency and trauma care around the clock. It offers advanced surgical interventions for critical injuries and illnesses, and with a patient-centered approach, it features multi-lingual care teams dedicated to understanding the unique cultural and health needs of a diverse population. Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital offers a comprehensive array of services, including primary care, cancer treatment, behavioral health, orthopedics and rehabilitation, cardiology, imaging, midwifery and obstetrics, minimally invasive surgeries, and more.