National organizations continue to recognize the hospital’s quality stroke care and treatment services
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) has once again received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, recognizing its continued commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate, research-based care aimed at improving outcomes, saving lives, and reducing long-term disability.
“These certifications and recognitions are wonderful,” Allan Perel, MD, chief of neurology at RUMC, said. “It validates the tremendous work and preparation it takes to achieve these distinctions. We at RUMC are proud of the high quality of care given to people and their families who have a stroke. Treatment of stroke is an extremely high priority at RUMC since stroke is the number one cause of significant disability in the United States.”
In addition to the Gold Plus designation, RUMC also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards. These distinctions highlight the hospital’s ability to deliver rapid, evidence-based stroke treatment and provide specialized care for patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes.
RUMC also continues to maintain its designation as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, a certification it has held since 2019, reflecting its comprehensive capabilities in stroke diagnosis, treatment, and coordinated patient care.
“These recognitions reflect the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our entire stroke team,” said Dr. Perel, continued. “Providing timely, high-quality stroke care requires constant focus and coordination. We are proud to continue delivering the level of care our patients and community depend on.”
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked or ruptures, depriving brain tissue of essential blood flow. Prompt diagnosis and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival rates, minimizing disability, and supporting recovery. RUMC treats hundreds of stroke patients each year.
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke program helps hospitals align patient care with the latest specific evidence and national standards. Hospitals that participate in the program demonstrate consistent adherence to treatment protocols that are proven to enhance recovery and reduce mortality.
To earn these awards, RUMC demonstrated success in delivering timely stroke care, including rapid evaluation and treatment for eligible patients. The Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite designation specifically recognizes hospitals that significantly reduce the time from patient arrival to administration of clot-busting medication.
RUMC’s receipt of the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award further recognizes its specialized care for stroke patients with diabetes, a condition that significantly increases stroke risk and complicates recovery.
“Managing stroke patients with underlying conditions like diabetes requires a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary approach,” said Dr. Philip Otterbeck, RUMC’s chief medical officer, chair of medicine and chief of endocrinology. “This recognition highlights the comprehensive care we provide to ensure patients receive the best possible outcomes.”
RUMC’s continued certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center demonstrates the hospital’s continued ability to meet rigorous performance standards established by the Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. The designation reflects RUMC’s commitment to maintaining high-quality processes, rapid response protocols, and continuous improvement in stroke care.
“Our stroke program continues to be recognized at the highest-level year after year,” said RUMC President Dr. John C. Evanko. “These awards underscore our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and to providing our patients with the most advanced, evidence-based stroke care available. From the moment a patient arrives, through treatment and recovery, our team is focused on delivering outstanding care every step of the way.”
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
