Stony Brook University Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association for its continued efforts in providing high-quality care in cardiovascular and stroke treatment. The hospital received the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus achievement award for the fifteenth consecutive year, spanning from 2010 to 2025. Additionally, it was awarded the Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for the seventh straight year.
William Wertheim, MD, executive vice president of Stony Brook Medicine, stated, “This acknowledgment from the American Heart Association reflects the steadfast commitment of our medical teams to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Being recognized consistently over the years reinforces our ongoing pursuit of excellence in cardiovascular and stroke treatment, and we take pride in the meaningful difference our work makes in our patients’ health and recovery.”
Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital, commented on the awards: “Achieving these prestigious awards year after year is a testament to the tireless dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff who put patients first every day. Each and every one of them plays an integral part in providing the kind of rapid and coordinated effort that has earned us these top honors.”
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Early detection and treatment are crucial for survival rates and recovery outcomes. Programs like Get With The Guidelines help hospitals follow research-based protocols developed by organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA).
In addition to this year’s achievements, Stony Brook University Hospital earned distinctions including Target: Stroke℠ Elite Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy recognition, and for five consecutive years (2021–2025), Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Honor Roll status.
The hospital’s Cerebrovascular & Comprehensive Stroke Center is noted for using evidence-based practices for stroke care. Timely administration of treatments such as clot-busting drugs can significantly impact patient outcomes.
Patients at SBUH benefit from faster-than-average stroke treatment times. Those with large vessel occlusion strokes receive advanced therapies quickly. Patients with type 2 diabetes also receive specialized care when hospitalized due to heart failure or related conditions. The hospital prioritizes prevention strategies that include education, lifestyle modification programs, quality improvement initiatives, and medication management.
Stony Brook’s Mobile Stroke Unit Program serves more than 40 communities within Suffolk County through partnerships with over 40 emergency medical service agencies. This program helps speed up diagnosis and allows time-sensitive therapies before patients reach a hospital setting.
According to AHA data cited by SBUH, more than 6.7 million adults nationwide live with heart failure—a figure projected to rise above 8 million by 2030 (https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_failure.htm). Proper management can enable many heart failure patients to maintain active lives despite their condition.
The Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center at Stony Brook has maintained national recognition through multiple certifications since 2011—including Advanced Certification Award in Heart Failure and Ventricular Assist Device Certification from The Joint Commission—and has received Healthgrades Five-Star Distinction for heart failure treatment (https://www.healthgrades.com/hospital-directory/new-york-ny-long-island/stony-brook-university-hospital-hgstbd9e6a46060036).
Cardiac arrest survival depends heavily on timely response by medical teams and effective CPR administration during emergencies. The Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation program provides hospitals with current guidelines designed to improve outcomes following cardiac arrest events.
SBUH has established a dedicated Shock Team utilizing advanced mechanical support devices aimed at increasing survival rates among cardiac arrest patients.
Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current chair of its Quality Oversight Committee said: “These awards show Stony Brook University Hospital’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care. By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Stony Brook University Hospital 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.”