SHREVEPORT, La. — Willis Knighton Health has received national recognition for its stroke care program, earning the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
The award recognizes hospitals that consistently follow research-based guidelines for stroke treatment, with the goal of improving patient outcomes, reducing disability and lowering mortality rates.
The designation applies to the Willis Knighton Health Stroke Center at Willis Knighton Pierremont. The facility also earned the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards, reflecting performance in specific areas of stroke and chronic disease management.
According to the organization, the stroke program met rigorous, evidence-based standards in diagnosing and treating stroke patients. Protocols emphasize timely intervention, appropriate use of medications and therapies, and coordinated care designed to improve recovery outcomes.
Patients treated through the program also receive discharge education and scheduled follow-up care to support long-term health management.
“We are honored to receive this award for the ninth consecutive year, which highlights Willis Knighton Health’s commitment to delivering exceptional stroke care,” said Brittney Anderson, RN, stroke coordinator at Willis Knighton Pierremont. “Our team continually strives to surpass national standards, ensuring the highest quality care for our patients.”
Stroke remains the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and a major contributor to long-term disability. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival rates and reducing lasting effects.
The Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program is a national hospital-based initiative that promotes adherence to the latest clinical standards in stroke care.
Willis Knighton opened its first dedicated stroke unit at Willis Knighton Pierremont in 2016. The following year, the facility received advanced certification for primary stroke centers from The Joint Commission, indicating consistent, high-quality care.
The health system expanded its stroke services with a second unit at Willis Knighton Bossier, which opened in February 2019. That unit received Joint Commission certification in December 2023. The six-bed facility centralizes stroke patients in a specialized care environment staffed by trained teams.
Protocols developed at the Pierremont location have since been implemented across all Willis Knighton emergency departments, standardizing stroke care throughout the system.