Beacon Health System’s nationally recognized heart teams help more than 11,000 patients each year live healthier lives

American Heart Association honors Beacon hospitals for commitment to high-quality, evidence-based cardiovascular care

When 39-year-old Dylan Friar suffered a stroke, he received life-saving treatment at Memorial Hospital of South Bend that restored blood flow to his brain and helped prevent more severe damage. Julie Kramer came to Beacon searching for answers and found a multidisciplinary heart team at Elkhart General Hospital that diagnosed her rare heart condition, guided her through open-heart surgery with compassion and confidence and helped give her a second chance at life. Walter Myles feels better than he has in years — and is back at work — after receiving comprehensive heart care close to home at Beacon Kalamazoo. These are just a few of the thousands of patients whose lives are impacted each year by Beacon’s nationally recognized cardiovascular teams.

That dedication to patient care has earned Beacon Kalamazoo, Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend multiple American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for excellence in treating heart disease and stroke. Among the honors, Elkhart General Hospital received the organization’s Commitment to Quality Award, recognizing its exceptional dedication to delivering evidence-based cardiovascular care and continuously improving patient outcomes.

The awards recognize hospitals that consistently follow the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines, helping improve outcomes, speed recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Every year, Beacon’s cardiovascular specialists care for more than 11,000 heart and vascular patients across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. From preventive screenings and cardiac rehabilitation to advanced structural heart procedures, emergency heart attack treatment and complex cardiovascular surgery, Beacon’s teams work together to deliver comprehensive care close to home.

“Behind every award is a patient whose life has been changed,” said Vishal Gupta, MD, interventional cardiologist at Beacon Kalamazoo Heart Institute. “Whether we’re helping someone recover from a heart attack, treating a complex valve condition or preventing future cardiovascular disease, our focus is always on providing the highest quality care possible so patients can get back to living their lives.”

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, making access to expert cardiovascular care more important than ever. Through participation in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines programs, Beacon teams use proven, research-based protocols that help ensure patients receive timely, effective treatment based on the latest scientific evidence.

“These recognitions reflect a commitment shared by hundreds of caregivers across our hospitals,” said Troy Weirick, MD, cardiologist with Beacon Medical Group Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists RiverPointe. “From emergency responders and nurses to physicians, therapists and rehabilitation specialists, every member of the team plays a role in helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”

For patients, those outcomes can mean returning to cherished moments with family, resuming favorite activities or simply breathing easier and feeling stronger. Beacon’s heart patient stories showcase how advanced treatments, innovative procedures and coordinated care have helped community residents overcome some of their most challenging health journeys.

“The most meaningful measure of success is seeing patients regain their health and quality of life,” said Mayank Mittal, MD, interventional cardiologist at Beacon Medical Group Advanced Cardiology Specialists South Bend. “These awards affirm the dedication of our teams, but what matters most is ensuring patients throughout our communities have access to nationally recognized heart and vascular care close to home.”

This year, Beacon Health System hospitals received the following American Heart Association achievement awards:

Beacon Kalamazoo

• Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Elkhart General Hospital

• Commitment to Quality Award
• Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll
• Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Silver with Target: CPR and Target: Survival

Memorial Hospital

• Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, target: Stroke Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll
• Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Bronze