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43 hospitals in Virginia recognized for efforts to improve outcomes for Americans with heart disease and stroke


August 18. 2023

Updated July 25, 2024

Source: AHA

Photo Source: Unsplash,


43 hospitals in Virginia recognized for efforts to improve outcomes for Americans with heart disease and stroke

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care


Hampton Roads, VA, August 17, 2023 — 43 hospitals in Virginia are among the 2,600 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. These health crises require swift and proven treatment to ensure the best outcomes for patients. The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, sets the standards for high-quality, science-based care and access that all patients deserve.


“Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke or heart attack,” said, Dr. Ethlyn McQueen-Gibson, Leadership Development Chair, of the American Heart Association Hampton Roads Executive Board of Directors. “Access to high-quality care is something that everyone should have, and the Get With The Guidelines program helps ensure all patients can access high-quality care.”


Each year, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals across the country for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care. In Hampton Roads, 12 hospitals were recognized this year:

  • Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center

  • Chesapeake Regional Medical Center

  • Riverside Doctor’s Hospital Williamsburg

  • Riverside Regional Medical Center

  • Riverside Walter Reed Hospital

  • Sentara CarePlex Hospital

  • Sentara Leigh Hospital

  • Sentara Louise Obici Memorial Hospital

  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital/Sentara Heart Hospital

  • Sentara Princess Anne Hospital

  • Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital

  • Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center


Shidonna Raven Garden & Cook, Soaring by Design
Medical IV Bag

Doctors at Sentara removed Zack’s heart after he died, marking the first HIV positive heart donation for the hospital.


“There are over 100,000 people in the United States waiting for an organ transplant," LifeNet Health Executive Vice President Doug Wilson said.


LifeNet Health helped coordinate the organ donation. Wilson said organ donations have a domino effect.


“You’ll help seven people, eight people, nine people and their entire family and workforce will be impacted," said Wilson.


The donation was ultimately made possible thanks to the HOPE Act.


It became law in 2013 and established a research program to allow people with HIV to be organ donors.


Prior to the Act, they weren’t allowed to be donors.


Blankenship said she’s glad she was able to honor her brother’s wish to be an organ donor.


“We really do miss him," said Blankenship.



How can such practices apply to real-life? How might such practices impact your health? What are the real-life facts of such cinematic creations?




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