Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) has been awarded the Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award by the American Heart Association. This recognition comes shortly after RUMC was accredited as an Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the American Stroke Association and The Joint Commission.
The Gold Plus award acknowledges RUMC’s commitment to providing appropriate treatment for stroke patients, following nationally recognized guidelines. It is the seventh consecutive year that RUMC’s stroke program has received this distinction.
Dr. Philip Otterbeck, Chief Medical Officer at RUMC, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “This recognition from the American Heart Association is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our multidisciplinary stroke team and our commitment to delivering timely, evidence-based care that improves outcomes and saves lives.”
Additionally, RUMC earned the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award for its specialized care of stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes. This marks the fourth consecutive year RUMC has received this honor.
“Stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes face a more complex recovery,” Dr. Otterbeck noted. “This distinction highlights our team’s ability to address not just the stroke itself but also metabolic and vascular challenges.”
The Get With The Guidelines program helps hospitals nationwide align patient care with current research-based guidelines. According to Daniel J. Messina, President and CEO of RUMC, “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis.”
Steven Messe, MD from the American Heart Association praised RUMC’s efforts: “We are incredibly pleased to recognize Richmond University Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke.”
In May 2025, RUMC was also distinguished as an Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center due to its expertise in performing thrombectomies since launching its program in 2019.
Richmond University Medical Center continues serving Staten Island with comprehensive healthcare services.
