South Central Regional Medical Center is proud to announce it recently received the Gold Award by the American Heart Association for its exceptional efforts in following the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, “From 2019 to 2021, Mississippi had the highest rate of death due to stroke of any state in the United States. Moreover, stroke continues to be the 6th leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in Mississippi.”

South Central recognizes the critical importance of prompt, comprehensive stroke care within the rural communities it serves and has made deliberate efforts to ensure emergency personnel are thoroughly trained in evidence-based stroke treatment.

“Our mission is to provide high-quality care to every patient we serve,” South Central Regional Medical Center’s Emergency & Support Services Officer Sherry Brewer said. “Caring for stroke patients can be challenging in a rural area like the Pine Belt, but our ability to overcome those challenges is deeply meaningful because it saves lives.”

The Association measures how well an organization provides rural stroke care based on its adherence to ten specific guidelines. These include measures such as rapid stroke identification, timely imaging, accurate symptom documentation, fast and safe patient transfer and prompt use of treatments such as telestroke consultation and intravenous thrombolytic therapy within strict time windows.

Hospitals that participate in the Get With The Guidelines® _ Stroke Rural program are eligible to receive Gold, Silver or Bronze level recognition for their efforts. In order to receive Gold-level recognition, organizations must have eight or more consecutive quarters of participation and a certain score for guideline compliance.

South Central Regional Medical Center and other award recipients will be officially recognized by the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Houston, Texas, in February 2027.