The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® – SilverPlus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care

HANCOCK, Mich. (July 22, 2025) — UP Health System – Portage has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke SilverPlus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive appropriate, timely treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines — ultimately saving lives and reducing disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and brain cells begin to die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based practices. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program that promotes consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“UPHS – Portage continues to make strides in patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Ryan Heinonen, chief executive officer of UPHS – Portage. “Get With The Guidelines enables our team to apply this knowledge consistently, and studies show that doing so helps patients recover better. Our goal is to ensure more people in the Upper Peninsula can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating a commitment to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment protocols, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize UPHS – Portage for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality — a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”

This recognition adds to a growing list of accreditations for UPHS – Portage, including:

• Surgical Quality Partner designation from the American College of Surgeons
• Verified Level III Trauma Center status
• Acute Stroke Ready Hospital accreditation from The Joint Commission
• Accredited Chest Pain Center designation from the American College of Cardiology

Know the Signs. Act Fast.

Stroke symptoms come on suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Call 911 immediately if you or someone else experiences:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
• A severe headache with no known cause

Every second counts. Learn more about stroke warning signs, treatment, and prevention at UPHealthSystem.com/Stroke.