WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital earns two American Heart Association ‘Get With The Guidelines’ achievement awards

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital has received two prestigious 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines Achievement Awards in recognition of its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based cardiovascular care.

The hospital earned the following national recognitions:

• Get With The Guidelines – Rural Heart Failure GOLD Achievement Award
• Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS SILVER Achievement Award

These awards recognize hospitals that consistently follow the latest, research-based treatment guidelines to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions and ensure patients receive the highest standard of cardiovascular care.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and following evidence-based clinical guidelines has been shown to improve recovery and save lives. Through participation in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement program, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital demonstrates its ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible care to patients in the communities it serves.

“These awards reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses, clinical staff and support teams who work together every day to provide exceptional cardiovascular care,” said John Forester, interim president and CEO of WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital. “We’re proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our commitment to quality, safety and continuously improving patient outcomes. This recognition reinforces our mission to bring advanced, evidence-based care to the patients and families we serve throughout our region.”

Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program designed to ensure patient care is aligned with the latest scientific research and nationally recognized treatment guidelines. Hospitals earning these awards have demonstrated sustained success in implementing these evidence-based practices, resulting in improved outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

“These awards reflect WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s commitment to caring for people in our community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital is helping advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates—a win for patients, families and the entire health care system.”