Bakersfield, Hanford, and Tulare Earn Gold for Stroke Care

July 30, 2025 – Adventist Health is proud to announce that Adventist Health Bakersfield, Adventist Health Hanford, and Adventist Health Tulare each received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. This national recognition highlights the dedication of our hospital teams to provide patients with the most advanced, evidence-based stroke treatments that improve outcomes, reduce disability, and save lives.

Commitment to High-Quality Stroke Care

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States. Early detection and treatment are crucial in reducing long-term impacts. Through Get With The Guidelines, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association provide hospitals with proven research-based care protocols, ensuring patients receive consistent, timely, and effective treatment.

“At Adventist Health, advancing stroke care through the latest evidence-based guidelines is one of our highest priorities,” said Lisa Kreber, PhD, Brain and Spine Service Line director, Adventist Health Central California Network. “As someone with a family member who experienced a stroke, I’ve seen firsthand the lasting impact it can have on patients and their loved ones. That’s why we are deeply committed to ensuring every patient in our communities receives the best possible care.”

Additional Honors Across the Network

In addition to the Gold Plus awards, Adventist Health hospitals received further recognition:

• Adventist Health Bakersfield earned the Target: Stroke^SM Honor Roll Elite award, meeting rigorous standards to reduce treatment times between hospital arrival and life-saving clot-busting therapy. Bakersfield was also honored with the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award for the second consecutive year, ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
• Adventist Health Hanford received the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award, underscoring its commitment to serving patients at higher risk of stroke complications.
• Adventist Health Tulare was also recognized with the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award, ensuring diabetic patients receive advanced, evidence-based care during stroke hospitalization.

A Regional Commitment to Stroke Care

These awards reflect our stroke care teams’ commitment and dedication to serving communities across Central California, and ensuring all patients have access to life-saving care when it matters most.