Lakeland Regional Health

Awarded Comprehensive Stroke Certification

from the Joint Commission

January 27, 2025

Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Regional Health is pleased to announce its Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®️ and the American Stroke Association’s and American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark for Comprehensive Stroke Certification.

This designation means that patients no longer need to travel outside of Polk County for this lifesaving care. They can receive all stroke care at Lakeland Regional Health’s Comprehensive Stroke Center.

“We are thrilled to receive this important recognition for our stroke care,” said Timothy Regan, MD, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center President and Lakeland Regional Health Chief Medical Officer. “Receiving a Comprehensive Stroke Certification means our patients and their families have access to the best specialists, surgeons, interventionists, and physicians who utilize the most advanced technology for stroke care. This is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class and lifesaving care to patients who need it most.”

Lakeland Regional Health underwent a rigorous onsite review. During the visit, The Joint Commission evaluated compliance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. They also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Comprehensive Stroke Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Executive Vice President of Accreditation and Certification Operations and Chief Nursing Officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Lakeland Regional Health for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality, and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“We congratulate Lakeland Regional Health for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

Lakeland Regional Health’s Comprehensive Stroke Center is consistently recognized with the Get with the Guidelines Target Stroke Honor Roll Gold Plus award by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. The Center cared for 1,143 patients in 2024 and offers monthly support groups for stroke survivors and their caregivers.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

About Lakeland Regional Health

Not-for-profit Lakeland Regional Health reaches beyond its hospital walls to promote wellness, education, and discovery in new places and new ways, providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at its Medical Center, Hollis Cancer Center, and ambulatory care locations. Lakeland Regional Health earned Most Wired Advanced and Most Wired status ten times since 2013 and has earned workplace awards from Forbes, Gallup, and Becker’s Hospital Review. Its 910-bed comprehensive tertiary referral hospital, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, operates the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine; a Level II Trauma Center; the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine; and the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness.

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