Fremont, Calif. – July 15, 2026 – Building on a series of national recognitions for patient safety and clinical excellence, Washington Health today announced two prestigious American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards, both at the Gold Plus level – the program’s highest level of recognition – further reinforcing its leadership in cardiovascular care that improves outcomes and saves lives.
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 aligns with the latest science-backed guidelines.
Washington Health received the Get With The Guidelines - Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll for excellence in caring for patients experiencing the most severe and life-threatening type of heart attack. The organization earned distinction for delivering evidence-based interventions that address the unique needs of heart attack patients living with Type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, Washington Health achieved the Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for consistently providing stroke care that meets nationally recognized standards. It received honors for rapidly treating eligible stroke patients to help reduce brain damage and improve recovery, while ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes receive the latest specialized care.
“These national recognitions by the American Heart Association reflect the extraordinary dedication, collaboration, and unwavering commitment of Washington Health physicians, nurses and care teams,” said Kimberly Hartz, CEO of Washington Health. “Every member of our organization plays a critical role in delivering evidence-based, exceptional care. These awards underscore our collective commitment to advancing the quality of heart attack and stroke care while meeting the evolving health care needs of our patients and community.”
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
“These awards reflect Washington Health's commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Washington Health can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”
This latest achievement builds on a growing list of accolades affirming Washington Health's continued investment in clinical excellence, patient safety and delivering nationally recognized care to the East Bay and Tri-Valley areas. Over the past year, Washington Health also earned its fourth consecutive Magnet® designation for nursing excellence, an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, and multiple Healthgrades awards recognizing the organization among the nation's top hospitals for patient safety and outpatient orthopedic care.
About Washington Health
Washington Health is an independent, community-based health system governed by the publicly elected Washington Township Health Care District Board. Opened in 1958, Washington Health has grown to include a 415-bed, acute care hospital that includes the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion that also houses emergency services and a level II trauma center; the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley; the Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Peninsula Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Health Medical Group; Washington Health Urgent Care, and Washington West that houses the UCSF-Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Through the Washington Health Foundation, generous donor and community support helps advance innovation, expand access to care, and strengthen vital programs. The health system continues to receive top-tier awards and distinctions for many programs and services, while advancing the level of medical care and treatment in Southern Alameda County. Discover more at washingtonhealth.com, and through Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.