We're Nationally Recognized for Stroke Care

We’re thrilled to announce that three of our hospitals — Adventist Health Bakersfield, Adventist Health Delano and Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley — have all received quality achievement awards from the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®️ - Stroke program. Adventist Health Bakersfield has earned the Gold Plus award for the 13th year in a row, while Adventist Health Delano has been recognized with its first Silver Plus award, and Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley has received its first Silver award.

This recognition is given to healthcare organizations that demonstrate commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Adventist Health Bakersfield, which is certified as a Primary Stroke Center, also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™️ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims 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.

The Get With The Guidelines initiative puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. Adherence to these guidelines minimizes the long-term effects of a stroke and can even prevent death.

“We’re committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Ghassan Jamaleddine, MD, medical officer of Adventist Health Central California Network. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our communities can experience longer, healthier lives.”

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Adventist Health Bakersfield, Adventist Health Delano and Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley for their commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”