Three Ballad Health hospitals recognized nationally for excellence in stroke care

Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center earn Get With The Guidelines^® Awards

The American Heart Association recognized three Ballad Health hospitals for excellence in stroke care in 2026.

Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke Gold quality recognition award, highlighting Ballad Health’s commitment to ensuring patients receive timely, comprehensive stroke care across the Appalachian Highlands. The Stroke Gold quality award is given to hospitals that demonstrate at least 85% compliance with seven key achievement measures for 24 consecutive months.

“This award really spotlights the incredible team here in Kingsport,” said Kevin Rinks, CEO of Holston Valley Medical Center. “When it comes to stroke care, every second counts, and many moving parts must come together to ensure our patients get the lifesaving care they need. Providing this care every day requires an incredible amount of teamwork, and this award showcases that we have an elite stroke care team here at Holston Valley.”

A 2026 report from the American Heart Association found that stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. Early detection and rapid treatment are crucial to preserving brain function and improving survival for patients experiencing stroke.

Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to research-backed, evidence-based guidelines. Hospitals that are recognized with these quality awards have shown a commitment to following these guidelines designed to improve stroke outcomes and reduce disability.

“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing lifesaving care,” said Rebecca Beck, CEO of Johnson City Medical Center. “The trust that our patients place in us is sacred, and recognitions like this affirm that our teams are committed to providing exceptional care that our patients can rely on.”

Bristol Regional also received the Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Silver quality achievement award, as well as the American Heart Association’s Target: Survival award, meaning Bristol Regional’s survival rate ranks higher than that of 60% of hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation registry.

The Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation program was developed to support hospitals in saving the lives of people who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest by consistently following the most current, evidence-backed treatment guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association.

“I’m beyond proud of the team at Bristol Regional,” said John Jeter, CEO of Bristol Regional Medical Center. “Not only did they earn recognition for stroke care, but they’ve also shown a commitment to lifesaving resuscitation and cardiac care. These recognitions confirm that our patients can trust us to provide timely, lifesaving care while adhering to the high standard of care that our patients deserve.”

“We are pleased to recognize Ballad Health for its commitment to following the guidelines for stroke and in-hospital cardiac arrest,” said Paul Chan, M.D., MSc, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Resuscitation System of Care Advisory Group. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines often achieve better patient outcomes and improved survival rates — a meaningful win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Learn more about stroke services available throughout the Appalachian Highlands.