Verde Valley Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in Arizona to receive a 2008 Gold Award and be recognized in the July 14 U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Hospitals issue by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program announcement for performance achievement award winners in cardiac and stroke patient care. VVMC’s Gold Award demonstrates sustained performance (two or more years at 85 percent or higher adherence) to all performance measures for coronary artery disease. 

Bruce Peek, M.D., interventional cardiologist and VVMC’s GWTG program champion said, “This award demonstrates VVMC’s commitment to deliver optimal cardiac care in keeping with rigorous clinical standards, including rapid heart attack care that markedly surpasses all national standards.”

GWTG is a quality-improvement program that helps ensure the care hospitals provide for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure is aligned with the latest scientific guidelines. Currently more than 1,450 hospitals use one or more GWTG modules. Projections have shown that nationwide implementation of these prevention guidelines, as promoted in the program, could result in saving more than 80,000 lives each year.

“We are pleased to be nationally recognized for the quality of our cardiology services and achievements in treating cardiac patients,” said Jack Dempsey, VVMC interim president. “The credit truly belongs to our physicians, nurses and technicians at the bedside. This award demonstrates the importance of seeking care from a heart program that provides immediate and comprehensive care locally.”