The American Heart Association (AHA) has honored all five Virtua hospitals for their outstanding commitment to ensuring patients who had a stroke or are living with heart failure receive care using the latest, evidence-based treatment guidelines. More specifically, the hospitals were recognized with the following 2022 Get With the Guidelines® distinctions:

• Virtua Marlton: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award
• Virtua Voorhees: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award
• Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes: Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award, and Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award.
• Virtua Mount Holly: Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award
• Virtua Willingboro: Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award

“We strive to deliver the highest levels of care across our system,” said Reginald “Reg” Blaber, MD, MBA, FACC, Virtua executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “We are honored so many people trust us with their health, and we honor that trust through our commitment to providing quality, research-based care that allows for better days at home with family and loved ones.”

Get With The Guidelines quality achievement awards are earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. The guidelines put the expertise of these organizations to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines to help improve outcomes.

Virtua’s neurosciences program, in partnership with Penn Medicine, use advanced techniques to treat stroke and other neurologic conditions. Virtua Voorhees, Marlton, Mount Holly, and Willingboro are New Jersey-designated Primary Stroke Centers. Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes, the hub of the neurosciences program, is a New Jersey-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center.

“The Get With The Guidelines – Stroke award at all five Virtua hospitals is a clear indication of our commitment to safe, evidence-based treatment guidelines across our system,” said Carole Thomas, MD, medical director of the Virtua stroke program. “Together with our neurosurgical partners Penn Medicine, our goal is to ensure the people of South Jersey enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

The Virtua Heart Failure program ensures people with heart failure know how to manage their condition and have an ongoing source of support and care. The program begins in the hospital, with comprehensive education for both newly diagnosed individuals and those who have returned for inpatient care. If you require a procedure to improve the function of your heart, Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes provides advanced therapies such as implantable pacemakers, defibrillating devices, and cardiac surgery.

Following treatment in the hospital, care continues at one of five dedicated heart failure centers in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Sewell, Willingboro, and Woodbury, or through a community-based home care program. A dedicated team of advanced practice nurses, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation staff, physicians, and dietitians create an individualized, evidence-based treatment program, including fluid status review and adjustment, exercise endurance testing, drug therapies, nutrition and physical activity guidance, education, and family support.

“Virtua is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Chun “Dan” Choi, MD, Virtua vice president of cardiovascular clinical operations. “Our Get With The Guidelines recognition is just one indication of our team’s commitment to putting proven knowledge and guidelines to work every day to improve outcomes for people with heart failure, including reduced hospital readmissions and more healthy days at home.”

Virtua’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ awards recognize the hospitals’ programs that ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.