MITCHELL SD. (Mitchell Now) 24 hospitals across S.D. are being recognized by the American Heart Association for their commitment to improving care for patients with heart disease and stroke through Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement programs.

Nationwide, more than 3,000 hospitals take part in these efforts, helping ensure patients receive care aligned with the most up‑to‑date, research‑based treatment guidelines.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the 2026 American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report. These conditions require swift, proven treatment to achieve the best outcomes. Through Get With The Guidelines, hospitals use real‑time data, clinical best practices and performance feedback to improve adherence to evidence‑based care for conditions such as stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest and coronary artery disease.

“Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke or heart attack,” said Michele Bolles, American Heart Association senior vice president of quality, outcomes research and analytics. “High-quality care should be accessible to all, and sites awarded through the Get With The Guidelines program help work toward our shared vision of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”

Participation in Get With The Guidelines has been associated with better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality, and the program has also been shown to reduce disparities in care for several populations. Since its launch more than two decades ago, millions of patient records have contributed to registries that help drive research and real‑world improvements in cardiovascular care.

In S.D., these hospitals were recognized this year:

  • Avera McKennan, Sioux Falls
  • Avera Queen of Peace, Mitchell
  • Avera Sacred Heart, Yankton
  • Avera St. Luke’s, Aberdeen
  • Avera St. Mary’s, Pierre
  • Bowdle Healthcare Center, Bowdle
  • Brookings Health System, Brookings
  • Douglas County Memorial Hospital, Armour
  • Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron
  • Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics, Mobridge
  • Monument Health, Custer
  • Monument Health, Lead-Deadwood
  • Monument Health, Rapid City
  • Monument Health, Sturgis
  • Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services, Viborg
  • Platte Health Center Avera, Platte
  • Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center, Canton
  • Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center, Chamberlain
  • Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center, Clear Lake
  • Sanford Vermillion Medical Center, Vermillion
  • Sanford Webster Medical Center, Webster
  • St. Michel’s Hospital Avera, Tyndall
  • Winner Regional Health, Winner