JSUMC nationally recognized for exceptional stroke care Jersey Shore University Medical Center has been recognized by theAmerican HeartAssociation/American Stroke Association GetWith the Guidelines (GWTG) program with a Silver Performance AchievementAward in exceptional stroke patient care. Jersey Shore is one of only two hospitals in New Jersey and 60 in the nation to attain the Silver Performance designation. Under the GWTG program,hospitals are encouraged to use nationally established evidence based guidelines for the best possible treatment of patients with stroke, coronary artery disease,and/or heart failure. The program awards hospitals with at least 85 percent or more of their cardiac or stroke patients (without contraindications) treated and discharged according to the guidelines.To qualify for the Silver PerformanceAchievementAward, a medical center must meet or exceed the criteria for one year. Riverview Medical Center and Ocean Medical Center received Bronze PerformanceAchievementAwards for meeting the stroke criteria for three months.The three medical centers are members of Meridian Health,making it the only health system in New Jersey to have all of its hospitals qualify for recognition. Jersey Shore took the lead in stroke care in 2005 by becoming the region's first Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center. Riverview subsequently became a certified center inApril 2007. "Stroke remains one of the nation's leading causes of death and disability,"said Stephen J.Martino,M.D.,director of Jersey Shore's Stroke Center and a member of the Acute StrokeTeam. "Monmouth and Ocean County residents can be assured that no matter where they live, they have nationally recognized stroke care readily accessible nearby at Jersey Shore or the other Meridian hospitals. "By meeting or exceeding theAmerican StrokeAssociation criteria, Jersey Shore can provide a consistently high level of care,as well as outstanding outcomes,"Dr.Martino continued. "Applying this discipline to the approximately 350 patients that we treat each year allows us to save more lives and maximize the quality of life for our patients and their families." For more information,call (800) 560- 9990 or visit www.meridianhealth.com.