Harbor Regional Health Earns Top Honors for Excellence in Stroke Care
This year, 54 hospitals in Washington were recognized by the AHA for heart and stroke care performance. Harbor Regional Health is proud to represent Grays Harbor County among this elite group. While most of the honored hospitals are located in large urban centers, Harbor Regional Health’s recognition affirms the exceptional level of care available in our rural community.
These awards are based on two years of performance data (January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024) and reflect the hospital's consistent adherence to research-based guidelines designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability.
In addition, Harbor Regional Health received the Get With The Guidelines®–Rural Stroke Bronze Award, which recognizes early achievement in implementing acute stroke best practices in rural settings. The rural award is based on data from July 1 to September 30, 2024.
"This recognition validates the tireless work our emergency and critical care teams put in every day," said Shannon L. Johnson, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Harbor Regional Health. "Our nurses, physicians, and care partners are delivering top-tier care in one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies there is."
Heart disease and stroke are the second and fifth leading causes of death in Washington State, underscoring the critical importance of timely, evidence-based care. Prompt treatment is essential to minimizing brain damage and improving recovery. The AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® program equips hospitals with the tools and benchmarks needed to implement evidence-based protocols that improve survival and reduce long-term disability.
"Our stroke program is built on precision, speed, and compassion," said Rachel Ohlstein, RN, BSN, Trauma Coordinator. "These awards show that even in a rural setting, we can deliver world-class care when every second counts."
The Target: Stroke Honor Roll recognizes hospitals that achieve exceptionally rapid treatment times for stroke patients, while the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll highlights hospitals providing optimal care to stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes.
"This achievement speaks to the strength of our protocols, our people, and our partnerships," said Nicole Newberry, MSN, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, Emergency Department Director. "We’re proud to be setting the standard for rural stroke care."
All awarded hospitals will be recognized in the U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" issue and at the American Heart Association’s International Stroke Conference in February 2026, held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
These awards underscore Harbor Regional Health’s commitment to equitable access to high-quality care—no matter where you live.
For more information about the American Heart Association's stroke care quality programs, visit www.heart.org.
About Harbor Regional Health
Harbor Regional Health is the largest healthcare provider and one of the largest employers in Grays Harbor County, offering a full spectrum of care across the region. As a Public Hospital District and Sole Community Hospital, we are committed to keeping high-quality care close to home through services including primary and specialty clinics, a Family Birth Center, cardiac catheterization lab, emergency care, and more. Guided by our mission to heal, comfort, and serve everyone with dignity and compassion, we continue to invest in people, technology, and partnerships that strengthen the health of our community.
About Get With The Guidelines®:
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and accelerating recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit www.heart.org.
