Jonesboro, AR — (Contributed) — Aug. 4, 2025 — The American Heart Association (AHA) recognized St. Bernards Medical Center with its highest possible awards for providing high-quality heart attack and stroke care.
These awards, known as Get With The Guidelines (GWTG), demonstrate St. Bernards’ commitment to follow up-to-date, research-based guidelines when treating heart disease and stroke, the number 1 and number 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. By establishing measurable benchmarks, GWTG seeks to save more lives while also creating shorter recovery times and fewer hospital readmissions for patients.
Dr. Max Arroyo, St. Bernards Chief of Cardiology, said the awards represent a multispecialty, comprehensive approach to heart and vascular care.
“Our processes begin before patients enter our emergency department, guiding them through treatment, and ultimately, through rehabilitation and recovery,” Dr. Arroyo said. “St. Bernards understands the importance of having necessary expertise on hand for our community, and it’s reflected through our awards and accreditations.”
Named an Advanced Primary Heart Attack and Stroke Center by the nation’s largest medical accrediting body, The Joint Commission, St. Bernards Medical Center earned the AHA’s highest possible recognition, Gold Plus and Gold, for STEMI and NSTEMI heart attack care as well as stroke care. In addition, AHA recognized St. Bernards with its Regional Award for overall heart services.
“These awards show St. Bernards’ commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, St. Bernards can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
A STEMI heart attack, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is one of the more severe heart attacks, occurring when a coronary artery experiences a complete blockage. An NSTEMI heart attack, or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, occurs when an artery encounters a partial blockage, severely reducing blood flow.
St. Bernards began its first heart catheterization procedures in 1983. Two years later, it brought the first heart surgery option to northeast Arkansas. After four decades, it continues to evolve cardiovascular care in the region, from maintaining healthy hearts to providing advanced care for heart failure.