UNC Health Johnston nationally recognized for commitment to excellence in stroke care
UNC Health Johnston has received national recognition for delivering evidence-based, life-saving stroke care.
The American Heart Association recently presented its Get With The Guidelines--Gold Plus and Silver Plus quality achievement awards to the hospitals in Smithfield and Clayton, respectively, for their commitment to ensuring that people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
Both hospitals received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus award, the highest recognition, for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.
In addition, both achieved the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, for aiming to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
“UNC Health Johnston is committed to improving patient care by following the latest treatment guidelines,” says CEO Tom Williams. “Get With The Guidelines helps our teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the goal of helping people in our communities live longer, healthier lives.”
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. 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 Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The 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.
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.
“We are proud to recognize UNC Health Johnston for its commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association 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.”
About UNC Health Johnston
UNC Health Johnston has been Johnston County’s primary health care system since 1951. Based in Smithfield, with a second location in Clayton, the hospital is an integral part of the county’s growth and development. Johnston is committed to its community, focused on quality health care, and invested in well-being. As part of the UNC Health system, Johnston holds itself to the highest standards of quality and excellence.
About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
