Hope, Arkansas (June 27, 2023):  Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope has received American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Bronze recognition for its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience this type of heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.[1] Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

Mission: Lifeline is a national, community-based initiative improving systems of care for patients with STEMI, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The program focuses on streamlining processes to speed the delivery of proper treatment for time sensitive, neuro-cardiovascular disease states.

Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center is designed to showcase hospitals of every size on the front lines of care that do not have 24/7 cardiac catheterization lab availability but work in collaboration with emergency medical services to ensure patients receive guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care.

The Mission: Lifeline Referring Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to getting patients the most up-to-date research-based care for STEMI as outlined by the American Heart Association.

“Wadley at Hope is dedicated to improving the quality of heart care, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps us achieve that goal,” said Dr. Ronald Exum, Medical Director of the Wadley at Hope ER. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so our patients have the best possible chance of survival.”

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About Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope

Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope is a 48-bed general acute care hospital and part of Steward Health Care.  Located in Hope, Arkansas, Wadley at Hope is the only hospital in Hempstead County and offers, 24-hour emergency care, is a “stroke ready” hospital, inpatient and outpatient diagnostic capabilities including CT, MRI, mammography, intensive care, general medical offerings, and a 12-bed inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit and operates a Rural Health Clinic. Wadley at Hope is accredited by DNV, certified by Medicare, and licensed by the state of Arkansas. To learn more, go to www.wadleyhealthathope.org.

About Steward Health Care

Nearly a decade ago, Steward Health Care System emerged as a different kind of health care company designed to usher in a new era of wellness. One that provides our patients better, more proactive care at a sustainable cost, our providers unrivaled coordination of care, and our communities greater prosperity and stability.

As the country’s largest physician-led, minority-owned, integrated health care system, our doctors can be certain that we share their interests and those of their patients. Together we are on a mission to revolutionize the way health care is delivered - creating healthier lives, thriving communities and a better world.

Steward is among the nation’s largest and most successful accountable care organizations (ACO), with more than 5,500 providers and 43,000 health care professionals who care for 12.3 million patients a year through a closely integrated network of hospitals, multispecialty medical groups, urgent care centers, skilled nursing facilities and behavioral health centers.

Based in Dallas, Steward currently operates 33 hospitals across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.