Sanford Health medical centers in five states have received 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.
“Every second counts when it comes to heart attacks and strokes, and our patients deserve access to high-quality, evidence-based care,” said Vivek Gonugunta, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Marshfield Clinic. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Marshfield Clinic can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”
As participants in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Sanford Health medical centers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.
“Sanford USD Medical Center 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,” said Dean Kusler, vice president of orthopedics and neurology at Sanford Health. “Get With The Guidelines programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, supporting better outcomes so more people in Sioux Falls can live longer, healthier lives.”
Stroke and heart care honor roll
This year, Sanford Health medical centers received these achievement awards:
Stroke Participating
- Prairie Lakes Health System
- Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
- Sanford Worthington Medical Center
Rural Stroke Bronze
- Marshfield Medical Center – Minocqua
- Marshfield Medical Center – Park Falls
- Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center
- Sanford Webster Medical Center
- Sanford Jackson Medical Center
- Sanford Vermillion Medical Center
Rural Stroke Silver
- Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
- Sanford Canby Medical Center
- Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center
- Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center
- Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center
- Sanford Luverne Medical Center
- Sanford Sheldon Medical Center
- Sanford Tracy Medical Center
- Sanford Westbrook Medical Center
- Sanford Medical Center Thief River Falls
- Sanford Wheaton Medical Center
- Marshfield Medical Center
Rural Stroke Gold
- Sanford Health Mayville
Stroke Gold Plus with Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Advanced Therapy Honor Roll and Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll
- Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Stroke Gold Plus with Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Advanced Therapy Honor Roll and Stroke Elite Honor Roll
- Sanford Bismarck Medical Center
Stroke Gold Plus with Target Type 2 Diabetes honor Roll, Advanced Therapy Honor Roll
- Sanford USD Medical Center
Stroke Gold Plus with Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus
- Marshfield Medical Center
“This recognition reflects the dedication of Marshfield Clinic physicians, nurses and care teams who work every day to deliver exceptional care for patients experiencing heart attacks and strokes,” said Brian Hoerneman, M.D., president and CEO of Marshfield Clinic. “Their focus on quality, teamwork and continuous improvement helps save lives and improve recovery.”
The health system earned praise from the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee.
“These awards reflect Sanford Health’s commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Sanford Health 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.”
Kate Stock, director of internal communications, regional communications, contributed to this report.
Learn more
- 7 Sanford hospitals among top places for heart attack care
- Telestroke program offers fast stroke care in rural areas
- Father of seven survives stroke with quick, coordinated care
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Posted In Awards & Recognition, Bemidji, Bismarck, Brain & Spine, Canby, Canton-Inwood, Chamberlain, Clear Lake, Fargo, Heart, Hillsboro, Jackson, Luverne, Marshfield, Mayville, Neurology, News, Sheldon, Sioux Falls, Thief River Falls, Thought Leadership, Tracy, Webster, Westbrook
