News Release

FORT WAYNE — Four Parkview Health hospitals were recognized recently by the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines program for adhering to evidence-based best practices in stroke care.

Parkview Regional Medical Center and Parkview Whitley Hospital were recognized with “Gold” awards, while Parkview Hospital Randallia and Parkview Kosciusko Hospital received “Silver” accolades this year.

Parkview Regional Medical Center, Randallia and Whitley hospitals were also recognized on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes honor roll, while Whitley and Kosciusko were highlighted as outstanding rural performers.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States,
respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2025 Statistical Update. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

“Strokes are very serious medical emergencies, but combining a rapid response, effective interventions and thorough follow-up therapy and care can mitigate the possibility of long-term disability or death,” said Dr. Shamir Haji, medical director of Parkview Neurosciences and the Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center. “Parkview continues to follow and implement the newest best practices in stroke care to minimize impairment, improve recovery and prevent future strokes.”

Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline put the expertise of the American Heart
Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.

As a participant in Mission: Lifeline and Get With the Guidelines programs, Parkview qualified for the awards by demonstrating how the organization is committed to improving quality care. This year marks the sixth time Parkview has been recognized by the American Heart Association for its stroke care since 2019.

The Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center and its interdisciplinary team provides
interventional procedures and surgical treatments, patient and family-focused care and community health education. Parkview utilizes state-of-the-art imaging and clot-busting
medications to diagnose and treat strokes and operates a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit. Parkview’s multidisciplinary diabetes team helps patients craft a treatment plan to build self-management skills, control symptoms and improve quality of life.

During recovery, patients transition from the ICU to the step-down stroke unit as their symptoms improve and can also complete their physical rehabilitation at the inpatient rehab unit at Parkview Hospital Randallia.

Parkview was recognized with six total awards from the AHA, specifically:

• Parkview Regional Medical Center: Stroke Gold Plus; Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus; Advanced Therapy; Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Parkview Hospital Randallia: Stroke Silver Plus; Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus; Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Parkview Whitley Hospital: Rural Stroke Gold
• Parkview Whitley Hospital: Stroke Silver Plus; Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Parkview Kosciusko Hospital: Rural Stroke Silver
• Parkview Kosciusko Hospital: Stroke Silver Plus

In 2024, Parkview treated roughly 2,600 patients at its 11 emergency departments for stroke-like symptoms. Within that total, about 1,650 of those patients arrived at hospitals outside of Allen County.

“Time is a critical factor when suffering a stroke, which is why Parkview providers across our region are well-trained to diagnose and intervene as quickly as possible,” said Mike GeRue, chief operating officer, Parkview Heart Institute, and senior vice president for Parkview’s cardiovascular and neurosciences service lines. “No matter the time of day or which hospital they go to, patients are supported by our systemwide network of stroke experts, ensuring they’re getting the best possible care.”

For more information about stroke prevention and services available through Parkview, visit here.