FMOL Health | St. Dominic nationally recognized for commitment to excellence in stroke care
The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite award for demonstrating commitment to delivering evidence-based, life-saving stroke care
JANS – FMOL Health | St. Dominic has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
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.
“Stroke can affect people of any age and without warning,” said Ruth Fredericks, MD, Neurologist and Co‑Medical Director of St. Dominic’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. “Quick recognition and rapid action are key to achieving better outcomes.”
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.
“Every day, I witness the remarkable commitment our team brings to caring for stroke patients,” said Ashley Smith, Sr. Director of Neuroscience and Imaging at FMOL Health | St. Dominic. “Because every minute matters, our staff responds with urgency, precision, and compassion from the moment a patient arrives. They continue that level of care throughout the entire recovery journey, supporting patients and families with knowledge, encouragement, and expertise. I could not be more thankful for the passion they pour into this work.”
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 FMOL Health | St. Dominic 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 health care systems, families, and communities.”
To learn more about the Comprehensive Stroke Center, visit https://www.fmolhs.org/locations/greater-jackson/st-dominic-comprehensive-stroke-center.
