McLaren Flint Nationally Recognized for Providing High-Quality Stroke Care

McLaren Flint, part of McLaren Health Care and its statewide McLaren Stroke Network, has received the American Heart Association’s 2025 Get With The Guidelines® Stroke GOLD PLUS quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Get With The Guidelines puts 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 research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“McLaren Flint is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said President and CEO Chris Candela. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in Genesee County and beyond can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

Additionally, McLaren Flint earned specific, stroke-related recognitions:

  • Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll-To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.
  • Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll-Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
  • Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll-This is earned by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

McLaren Flint also met specific scientific guidelines as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

To see all of the McLaren Stroke Network’s 2025 Get With The Guidelines recognitions, click here.