North Kansas City, MO. (July 16, 2026) — For the fourth year in a row, NKC Health received the highest level of recognition from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for its commitment to delivering exceptional, evidence-based care through the Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement registry program.

The honors reflect NKC Health’s commitment to delivering high-quality care for heart failure, stroke and resuscitation patients through evidence-based treatment and patient education that supports recovery at home. According to the Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report, heart disease and stroke remain among the top causes of death in the United States. The Get With The Guidelines® awards recognize hospitals that consistently follow nationally recognized treatment guidelines shown to improve patient outcomes.

“Awards like this are really about the people behind them,” said Stephen Reintjes Sr., MD, president and CEO of NKC Health. “Our teams work every day to provide the kind of evidence-based, lifesaving stroke and heart care our patients deserve, and I’m proud to see their commitment recognized on a national level.”

Among NKC Health’s eight awards is a fifth consecutive Gold Plus award for stroke care and a fourth consecutive Gold Plus award for heart failure.

Heart Failure Awards

1. Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold For the determination and focus to treat patients with heart failure using the most up-to-date American Heart Association guidelines and improve patient outcomes through reduced readmissions and more healthy days spent at home.
2. Target: Heart FailureSM This award honors hospitals that meet standards to help patients manage their condition through proper medication use, timely follow-up care and education, reducing readmissions and supporting better long-term health.
3. Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor This award aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized because of heart disease or stroke.

Stroke Awards

1. Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold For commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and less disability.
2. Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite Given to hospitals that follow strict guidelines to shorten the time from when a patient arrives to when they receive thrombolytic treatment.
3. Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor This award highlights hospitals that give patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, the best evidence-based care backed by the latest research when they’re admitted for a stroke.

Resuscitation Awards

1. Target: Survival. Given to hospitals that consistently follow current, evidence-based treatment guidelines, this award evaluates survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest while adjusting for factors such as arrest rhythm, event location and prior illness
2. Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation The award recognizes a strong commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrest, improving survival rates through proven, evidence-based care.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed to save lives and speed recovery, Get With The Guidelines® has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

About NKC Health

For nearly 70 years, NKC Health has worked to improve the health and well-being of patients and families across our region. We keep that promise every day by bringing innovative, comprehensive care that’s always delivered with kindness. From our Level II neonatal intensive care unit to award-winning, Joint Commission–accredited programs, each distinction reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare. We provide a lifetime of care through leading cardiovascular, orthopedic, cancer, women’s and other specialty services. With more than 4,700 staff members — including over 600 dedicated physicians — along with specialists and caregivers across 35 locations and counting, we offer everything you need to live your healthiest life. We can’t wait to welcome you. For more information, visit nkchealth.org.