National Recognition for Excellence in Stroke Care

St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) has once again earned national acclaim from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for its outstanding commitment to stroke care. The Network’s hospitals have received multiple 2025 Get With The Guidelines® awards, underscoring SLUHN’s dedication to delivering timely, evidence-based treatment to stroke patients across the region.

“These awards are a testament to the relentless dedication of our stroke teams across the Network,” said Daniel Ackerman, MD, FAAN, Section Chief of Neurology and Director of Stroke and Vascular Neurology at SLUHN. “From our community hospitals to our flagship campuses, we are united in our mission to provide the highest standard of stroke care swiftly, skillfully, and compassionately.”

2025 Get With The Guidelines Stroke awards by campus:

• St. Luke’s Allentown Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Anderson Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s University Hospital - Bethlehem – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Carbon Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Easton Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Rural Stroke Silver
• St. Luke’s Grand View Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Miners Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Rural Stroke Gold
• St. Luke’s Monroe Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus – Stroke Gold Plus
• St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• St. Luke’s Warren Campus – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

“These recognitions reflect not only our commitment to clinical excellence but also our culture of collaboration,” said Dr. Ackerman. “Our teams, from EMS to emergency departments, radiology, nursing, rehabilitation and our dedicated neuro specialists, work seamlessly to ensure every stroke patient receives the best possible care, every step of the way.”

SLUHN earned these honors by consistently meeting rigorous quality benchmarks for stroke diagnosis and treatment, including rapid administration of clot-busting medications and adherence to the latest clinical guidelines. The goal: to improve outcomes, reduce disability, and save lives.

What the Awards Mean:

• Stroke Gold Plus – Two or more consecutive years of 85%+ adherence to all achievement measures and 75%+ adherence to select quality measures.
• Stroke Silver Plus – One year of 85%+ adherence to all achievement measures and 75%+ adherence to select quality measures.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll – 75% of eligible patients receive clot-busting treatment within 60 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite – 85% of eligible patients receive treatment within 60 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus – 75% treated within 45 minutes and 50% within 30 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy – 50% of patients receive endovascular therapy within 90 minutes (direct) or 60 minutes (transfer).
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll – 80%+ compliance with cardiovascular diabetes care measures for 12 consecutive months.

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., with someone experiencing a stroke every 40 seconds. SLUHN continues to lead the way in stroke education, prevention, and treatment.

“Every second counts in stroke care,” Dr. Ackerman emphasized. “That’s why we invest in training, technology, and teamwork, so that no matter where you are in our Network, you can count on world-class stroke care when it matters most.”

What the Awards Mean:

• Stroke Gold Plus – Two or more consecutive years of 85%+ adherence to all achievement measures and 75%+ adherence to select quality measures.
• Stroke Silver Plus – One year of 85%+ adherence to all achievement measures and 75%+ adherence to select quality measures.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll – 75% of eligible patients receive clot-busting treatment within 60 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite – 85% of eligible patients receive treatment within 60 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus – 75% treated within 45 minutes and 50% within 30 minutes.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy – 50% of patients receive endovascular therapy within 90 minutes (direct) or 60 minutes (transfer).
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll – 80%+ compliance with cardiovascular diabetes care measures for 12 consecutive months.

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., with someone experiencing a stroke every 40 seconds. SLUHN continues to lead the way in stroke education, prevention, and treatment.

“Every second counts in stroke care,” Dr. Ackerman emphasized. “That’s why we invest in training, technology, and teamwork, so that no matter where you are in our Network, you can count on world-class stroke care when it matters most.”