West Valley residents now have access to the highest level of stroke care close to home.

GOODYEAR – Abrazo West Campus receives certification as a DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest designation for stroke care, recognizing the hospital's ability to provide rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment, and specialized care for the most complex stroke cases. This certification expands access to nationally recognized, high-acuity stroke care for residents throughout the West Valley and greater Phoenix, making Abrazo West the only DNV-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Arizona west of Interstate 17.

Awarded to healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in the treatment and management of severe and complex strokes, the DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center certification reflects advanced clinical capabilities, specialized expertise, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement.

“This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing advanced stroke interventions, coordinated care and ongoing support for patients and their families,” said Brian Elisco, Group CEO, Abrazo Health AZ. “Patients who live and work in the West Valley now have access to the highest level of stroke care in their community, when in the past they’d have to travel to Central Phoenix for this level of care. This complements our robust neurosciences program that offers high end services to the entire West community.”

The designation builds on Abrazo West's continued investment in neuroscience services, advanced technology, and highly specialized clinical teams. This includes neurosurgery, advanced spine surgery, neurology and a robust stroke care network. Earlier this year, the hospital also received the 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Award for its consistent delivery of evidence-based stroke care and strong patient outcomes.

As a Comprehensive Stroke Center and neuroscience center, Abrazo West offers advanced diagnostic imaging, interventional procedures and specialized treatment capabilities for patients experiencing the most serious stroke and neurological events. The hospital provides around-the-clock access to stroke experts and multidisciplinary teams equipped to respond to complex neurological emergencies when every second counts.

“This certification reflects the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses, therapists, EMS partners and support teams who work tirelessly every day to deliver lifesaving stroke care,” said Dr. Sushant Kale, medical director for stroke and interventional neurology, Abrazo Health. “Achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center status underscores our commitment to ensuring patients across the West Valley have access to advanced neurological care when every second matters.”

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. Rapid recognition, evaluation, and treatment are critical to preserving brain function and improving recovery. Abrazo Health offers a variety of fast and easy online health assessments. Take a free online stroke risk assessment here and learn more about Abrazo Health.