The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has awarded all nine ECU Health hospitals Get With The Guidelines achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
ECU Health North Hospital received the following:
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
“At ECU Health, delivering high-quality, life-saving rural health care is central to our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Our team members represent that mission in action and we could not be prouder that all nine ECU Health hospitals have once again earned national recognition in improving outcomes for patients facing stroke, heart disease and diabetes–conditions that deeply impact our region. This achievement reinforces ECU Health’s commitment to ensuring high-quality health care is available in our rural region.”
Heart disease and stroke remain among the deadliest health threats in the United States, ranking first and fifth, respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2025 Statistical Update. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke, adding up to nearly 795,000 new or recurrent cases each year. Stroke claims about 140,000 lives annually.
Eastern North Carolina bears an even heavier burden, with stroke mortality rates exceeding national averages. The region also grapples with disproportionately high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of targeted prevention and timely intervention.
“In eastern North Carolina, where stroke, diabetes and heart disease rates are disproportionately high, delivering high-quality care close to home is not just important – it’s vital,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, chief quality officer and chief clinical officer, ECU Health. “By adopting evidence-based practices and programs like Get With The Guidelines, our teams deliver consistent, highly reliable care that improves recovery and health outcomes. These recognitions affirm our steadfast commitment to clinical excellence and continuous improvement in all that we do.”
Evidence shows that patients fare significantly better when health care providers follow established treatment protocols, such as those outlined in the Get With The Guidelines program. Consistent adherence to these evidence-based practices leads to improved recovery outcomes and can help reduce the devastating impact of stroke and heart disease.
“These awards show ECU Health's commitment to caring for those in their community who need 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, ECU Health 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.”
ECU Health recognitions include:
ECU Health Beaufort Hospital — A Campus of ECU Health Medical Center
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Bertie Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
ECU Health Chowan Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Duplin Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Rural Gold
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver
ECU Health Medical Center
American Heart Association Commitment to Quality Award
Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Adult Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Pediatric Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Neonate/Infant Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Newly Born Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Stroke Advanced Therapy and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
Outer Banks Health Hospital
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver Plus
Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
