The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care

TUCSON– Carondelet St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals have been recognized for high-quality stroke care by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital received the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Bronze, Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital received the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke™ Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

The 2025 Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke awards highlight Carondelet Health Network’s commitment and success in ensuring that their stroke patients receive treatment that meets research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

"Prompt and accurate treatment is crucial when a patient is experiencing a stroke. At Carondelet St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals, our dedicated teams are available 24/7 to quickly diagnose and treat stroke patients. We pride ourselves on providing personalized, compassionate care, which is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients," said Dr. Brian Hess, chief medical officer for Carondelet Health Network.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability the United States. On average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a stroke each year, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital is certified as a Primary Plus Stroke Center by DNV, for meeting the guidelines required for treatment of serious stroke events. DNV, the accrediting agency, recognizes hospitals that have met specific metrics in the full spectrum of stroke care. The Primary Stroke Plus certification signifies that Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital provides critical elements of care to achieve long-term success in patient outcomes. The Carondelet Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital, also accredited by DNV, is dedicated to the treatment of neurological disorders and injuries. The Comprehensive Stroke Center offers multispecialty management of patients suffering hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes.

“Our hospitals are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care for stroke patients,” said Monica Vargas-Mahar, Carondelet Health Network’s Market Chief Executive Officer. “Receiving these awards from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire team. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that more people in Tucson have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.”