Penn State Health hospitals have received several awards from the American Heart Association for their adherence to current, research-based guidelines in treating stroke and heart disease. The recognition comes as heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update.
The awards were given through the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines programs. These initiatives support hospitals in using evidence-based treatment protocols. Penn State Health, an integrated academic health system, applies research, education, and clinical expertise to improve patient care and meet national quality standards.
This year’s recognitions include:
– Hampden Medical Center: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Heart Failure Bronze with Target: Heart failure optimal.
– Holy Spirit Medical Center: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
– Lancaster Medical Center: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
– Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
– St. Joseph Medical Center: Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
Three hospitals—Holy Spirit Medical Center, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and St. Joseph Medical Center—were also awarded the Commitment to Quality Award by the American Heart Association. This new distinction was given to only 158 hospitals nationwide for consistent high performance across three or more clinical areas within the Get With The Guidelines program.
Additionally, Holy Spirit Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center received the Mission: Lifeline Systems of Care Regional Award for excellence in coordinated cardiac care.
“Penn State Health is proud to once again receive recognition from the American Heart Association for providing high quality care for heart attack and stroke,” said Dr. Steven Ettinger, vice president and physician lead for heart and vascular services at Penn State Health. “Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us achieve our mission to continually improve the health and well-being of the people of Pennsylvania, and beyond.”
