Skip to Content
Close Icon

Community HealthCare System Earns Five National Awards from American Heart Association for Dedication to Heart and Stroke Care

Community HealthCare System Earns Five National Awards from American Heart Association for Dedication to Heart and Stroke Care

Recognition Highlights CHCS’s Commitment to Lifesaving, Evidence-Based Treatment in Rural Communities

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association with five “Get With The Guidelines®” achievement awards for excellence in the treatment of coronary artery disease and stroke.

These honors reflect CHCS’s strong commitment to using the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines to improve outcomes and save lives.

CHCS earned the following awards:

Get with the Guidelines -Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center - Silver
Get with the Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS - Bronze
Get with the Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI  - Silver
Get with the Guidelines – Rural Heart Failure - Silver
Get with the Guidelines – Rural Stroke Care - Bronze

“These awards are a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to clinical excellence,” said John Fitzthum, CEO of CHCS. “Whether it’s cardiac emergencies or stroke response, our teams are providing high-quality, evidence-based care that rivals any urban facility—right here in our rural communities.”

The Get With The Guidelines® program is designed to help hospitals consistently apply the latest scientific treatment guidelines to ensure the best outcomes for patients. These achievements show CHCS’s ongoing success in delivering timely, effective care, particularly in critical, time-sensitive situations like heart attacks and strokes.

“Quality care isn’t about geography—it’s about people, systems, and commitment,” Fitzthum said. “Being recognized across multiple categories, including as a STEMI Referring Center, shows how seriously we take our role in the continuum of care.”  -

Chief Nursing Officer Mindy Olberding also praised the dedication of CHCS staff in achieving this recognition.

“These awards are a direct reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and clinical excellence our nurses and care teams demonstrate every single day,” Olberding said. “Their attention to detail, quick thinking, and commitment to following evidence-based guidelines truly make a difference in the lives of our patients.”

This recognition also aligns with national research. A recent American Hospital Association and Press Ganey report found that a strong culture of safety is directly linked to better patient and staff outcomes. When hospitals implement robust clinical practices and foster engaged, supported teams, patients experience safer, more effective care.

CHCS continues to set the bar for rural healthcare delivery, proving that quality and compassion can thrive—no matter the zip code.

For more information about the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program, visit www.heart.org/quality.

0 comments

  • * - Indicates a required field