American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines^® - Stroke Gold Plus Award for commitment to life-saving stroke care!

PHOENIX — Every minute counts when someone experiences a stroke. That’s why the rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment and coordinated clinical expertise given to stroke patients at Abrazo West, Abrazo Arrowhead and Abrazo Scottsdale Campuses have awarded them the highest level of stroke care given by the American Heart Association.

Their commitment to exceptional stroke care has earned Abrazo West, Abrazo Arrowhead and Abrazo Scottsdale Campuses the 2026 American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Award, recognizing their consistent delivery of evidence-based stroke treatment and outstanding patient outcomes.

"Our stroke program is built around one goal—delivering the right treatment as quickly as possible," said Sushant P. Kale, MD, Medical Director for Stroke and Interventional Neurology, Abrazo Health.

"From emergency physicians and nurses to neurologists, neurointerventional specialists, imaging teams and rehabilitation professionals, every member of our team plays an important role in helping patients achieve the best possible recovery."

Get With The Guidelines^® brings together the expertise of the American Heart and American Stroke Associations to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to guidelines that can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.

Abrazo West also received the Get With The Guidelines^® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Advanced Therapy, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll achievement awards for excellence in specialized stroke care. Abrazo Scottsdale and Arrowhead Campuses received the Get With The Guidelines^® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll achievement awards.

Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and every minute matters.

These Abrazo campuses provide comprehensive stroke care using advanced imaging technology, rapid emergency evaluation and evidence-based treatment protocols that allow patients to receive timely interventions, including clot-busting medications and minimally invasive procedures to restore blood flow to the brain.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, therapists and clinical support teams who work together every day to provide exceptional care. We are proud to offer this service to our communities, and it makes a difference in people’s lives every day," said Brian Elisco, Abrazo Health AZ Group CEO.