Fountain Valley, Calif. – September 20, 2026 -- MemorialCare's Long Beach Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center have received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, recognizing stroke treatment aligned with nationally validated clinical guidelines. Long Beach Medical Center additionally earned the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Gold Plus award for reducing readmissions and increasing healthy days at home for heart failure patients.
Long Beach Medical Center collects four additional Target Honor Roll designations
Long Beach Medical Center received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, and Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll Optimal. Saddleback Medical Center secured the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll designations.
Both facilities hold Comprehensive Stroke Center status
Long Beach Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center meet the standards required for Comprehensive Stroke Center designation, which mandates a rapid-response system for diagnosing and treating stroke patients in the emergency department.
AHA data links program participation to lower mortality and fewer readmissions
Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group, said participation in Get With The Guidelines correlates with a greater likelihood of patients being discharged home, fewer hospital readmissions and lower mortality rates.
MemorialCare cites evidence-based care as the driver behind the recognitions
Eugene Kim, M.D., chief medical officer at MemorialCare, said the awards confirm that patients across the region have access to nationally recognized stroke care close to home, backed by advanced, evidence-based treatment protocols.
Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability and death in the United States, making rapid diagnosis and treatment critical to improving survival rates and shortening recovery times.