American Heart Association recognizes St. Luke for quality care
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News from Whitney Liegakos, St. Luke Community Healthcare
RONAN — St. Luke Community Healthcare has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to delivering high-quality, guideline-directed care for both stroke and heart attack patients, earning five prestigious Get With The Guidelines® awards in 2025. These recognitions reflect the hospital’s commitment to excellence, particularly in meeting the unique challenges of rural healthcare:
Gold Plus Award for Stroke Care, signifying excellence in consistently following the most up-to-date stroke treatment protocols.
Target: Stroke Honor Roll, highlighting rapid and effective stroke intervention.
Gold Award for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), recognizing top-tier care for heart attack patients.
Bronze Award for Rural Stroke Care, acknowledging effective stroke treatment in a rural setting.
Bronze Award for Rural CAD Care, recognizing commitment to heart care for rural populations.
“Where you live should not determine if you live,” said Karen Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author of the American Heart Association’s advisory on rural health. “Rural communities deserve high-quality cardiac and stroke care. St. Luke is recognized for consistently providing these patients with the care, guidance, and medical therapy they need to give them the best chance of survival.” The Get With The Guidelines® program supports hospitals in implementing research-based protocols to ensure patients receive timely, coordinated care. St. Luke’s awards reflect performance in several lifesaving areas:
— Timely administration of aspirin and clot-busting medications
— Rapid EKGs and transfers for heart attack patients
— Consistent stroke response times and outcomes
Continued care coordination and follow-up support
“These awards speak to the dedication and collaboration of our entire team,” said Stephanie Prentice, Emergency Department Manager at St. Luke. “We may be a small hospital, but we bring big expertise to the table — and every decision we make is focused on giving our patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery, right here in their own community.” “We are proud that our rural team is being recognized nationally for meeting — and often exceeding — standards of care,” added Abigail Byers, Director of Nursing Services at St. Luke. “From limited transport times to staffing realities, rural hospitals face significant hurdles. These awards demonstrate that we’re overcoming those challenges to deliver exceptional care close to home.”
Each year, over 1 million Americans are hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome, including the most dangerous form: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Similarly, rapid stroke care remains a national priority, as timely treatment can prevent long-term disability or death. These awards affirm St. Luke’s readiness and dedication in both areas.
About St. Luke Community Healthcare: St. Luke is a nonprofit, critical access hospital serving the Mission Valley and surrounding communities in western Montana. With a focus on personalized care and community connection, St. Luke combines modern medicine with local values. Learn more at www.stlukehealthcare.org.
About Get With The Guidelines®: Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program. Since 2001, it has reached over 14 million patients, helping hospitals apply the latest evidence-based treatment strategies for improved outcomes in cardiovascular and stroke care.
