St. Bernards Receives National Recognition for Region-Leading Heart, Stroke Care

JONESBORO, Ark. (August 4, 2025) – The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized St. Bernards Medical Center with its highest possible awards for providing high-quality heart attack and stroke care.

These awards, known as Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG), demonstrate St. Bernards’ commitment to follow up-to-date, research-based guidelines when treating heart disease and stroke, the number 1 and number 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. By establishing measurable benchmarks, GWTG seeks to save more lives while also creating shorter recovery times and fewer hospital readmissions for patients.

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Dr. Max Arroyo, St. Bernards Chief of Cardiology, said the awards represent a multispecialty, comprehensive approach to heart and vascular care.

“Our processes begin before patients enter our emergency department, guiding them through treatment, and ultimately, through rehabilitation and recovery,” Dr. Arroyo said. “St. Bernards understands the importance of having necessary expertise on hand for our community, and it’s reflected through our awards and accreditations.”

Named an Advanced Primary Heart Attack and Stroke Center by the nation’s largest medical accrediting body, The Joint Commission, St. Bernards Medical Center earned the AHA’s highest possible recognition, Gold Plus and Gold, for STEMI and NSTEMI heart attack care as well as stroke care. In addition, AHA recognized St. Bernards with its Regional Award for overall heart services.

“These awards show St. Bernards’ commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, St. Bernards can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

As background, a STEMI heart attack, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is one of the more severe heart attacks, occurring when a coronary artery experiences a complete blockage. An NSTEMI heart attack, or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, occurs when an artery encounters a partial blockage, severely reducing blood flow.

St. Bernards began its first heart catheterization procedures in 1983. Two years later, it brought the first heart surgery option to northeast Arkansas. After four decades, it continues to evolve cardiovascular care in the region, from maintaining healthy hearts to providing advanced care for heart failure.

Notes to editors:

• For 125 years, St. Bernards Healthcare has upheld a mission to provide Christ-like healing through education, treatment and health services.
• Founded in 1900 and still sponsored by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, Arkansas, St. Bernards stands as an independent, non-profit, Catholic healthcare system that serves 23 counties in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri.
• The corporate parent of a number of healthcare entities, St. Bernards Healthcare includes three hospitals, including the region’s largest hospital, St. Bernards Medical Center.
• As a regional referral hub, St. Bernards Medical Center offers a 457-bed acute care hospital, complete with the region’s most capable Level III Trauma Center and comprehensive Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
• St. Bernards Healthcare also includes St. Bernards CrossRidge Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Wynne, Arkansas, as well as St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, the first hospital in Arkansas to receive Rural Emergency Hospital designation.
• For more information about the 125-year history of St. Bernards, please visit 1900.stbernards.info.