Hackensack Meridian Health has received 12 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines–Stroke achievement awards for its commitment to following up-to-date, research-based stroke care guidelines that help improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and shorten recovery times.
Stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and speeding up recovery.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. In the United States in 2022, 17.5% of deaths from cardiovascular disease was because of stroke. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.
“We are proud to see so many of our hospitals recognized for their exceptional stroke care,” said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “From rapid emergency response to advanced surgical interventions and comprehensive rehabilitation, we are dedicated to the full spectrum of stroke care.”
The Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program helps hospitals align care with the most recent research-based recommendations to ensure patients receive high-quality treatment. The following Hackensack Meridian Health medical centers received 2025 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines–Stroke awards:
- Bayshore Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Hackensack University Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- JFK University Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Mountainside Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Ocean University Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Pascack Valley Medical Center – Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Raritan Bay Medical Center – Old Bridge – Stroke Bronze
- Raritan Bay Medical Center – Perth Amboy – Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Riverview Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Palisades Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Southern Ocean Medical Center – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Hackensack Meridian Health has three comprehensive stroke centers and nine primary stroke centers certified by the Joint Commission and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
The three comprehensive stroke centers — Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and JFK University Medical Center — hold the most advanced stroke care designations and are equipped to treat the most complex cases.
