Mercy Medical Center Recognized for Commitment to Excellence in Stroke Care

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center has received the Get with the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.

Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S, according to the 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report by the American Heart Assoc. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.

Get with the Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Assoc. and American Stroke Assoc. into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get with Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.

“Mercy Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Robert Roose, president of Mercy Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Johnson Memorial Hospital, and Saint Mary’s Hospital. “Get with the Guidelines helps our teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping people live longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get with the Guidelines participants also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.

Mercy Medical Center also received the American Heart Assoc. Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.

“We are proud to recognize Saint Francis Hospital and Mercy Medical Center for their commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chair of the American Heart Assoc. stroke system of care advisory group. “Participation in Get with the Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates — a meaningful benefit for healthcare systems, families, and communities.”