Bayhealth Earns National Awards for Excellence in Stroke Care

Bayhealth has received three American Heart Association (AHA) Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.

The best outcomes for stroke happen when patients receive a rapid diagnosis and treatment at a hospital that follows the proven stroke care standards. For ischemic stroke, the most common type which accounts for about 9 out of 10 strokes nationally, treatment guidelines include calling 911 right away for any signs of stroke, getting brain imaging quickly to determine the stroke type and best treatment method, and the use of clot-busting medicine for eligible patients within a specific treatment window. The BE FAST acronym is the simplest way to remember the warning signs of stroke: Balance problems, Eye (vision) changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911.

Get With The Guidelines 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 science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Bayhealth qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of stroke care.

“Bayhealth is proud of this achievement for nationally recognized stroke care. We are delivering on our commitment to high-quality care for our patients and adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely, appropriate care for strokes,” said Bayhealth Stroke Program Medical Director Dr. Usman Shehzad. “Get With The Guidelines programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, supporting better outcomes so more people in our area can live longer, healthier lives.”

This year, Bayhealth received these achievement awards:

• Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus
• Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus
• Get With The Guidelines® - Rural Stroke GOLD, Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus

Bayhealth has certified Primary Stroke Centers at both Kent and Sussex Campuses located in Dover and Milford, respectively. Visit Bayhealth.org/Neurosciences to learn more about our team of specialists and the stroke care we offer.

Pictured left to right: Senior Director Orthopedics & Neurosciences Janelle Hobbs, MBA, MSN, RN, CLSSGB; Stroke Progam Coordinator Kimberly Holmes, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BS, PCCN; Stroke Medical Director Dr. Usman Shehzad and Stroke Quality Clinical Specialist Jazmine Hamilton, MSN, RN. Not pictured: Director of Neurology Ali Sheharyar, MD.