FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 12, 2026
 
PIH Health Hospitals Earn American Heart Association’s 2026 Get With The Guidelines® -

Stroke Gold Plus Awards

Whittier, Calif. (August 12, 2026) – PIH Health Downey Hospital and PIH Health Whittier Hospital have earned the American Heart Association’s 2026 Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, recognizing their commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based stroke care.
 
The Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award honors hospitals that consistently adhere to the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines, helping ensure stroke patients receive timely, high-quality care that improves outcomes.
In addition to earning the Gold Plus designation:

• PIH Health Downey Hospital received the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll recognition.
• PIH Health Whittier Hospital received both the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll recognitions.

“These awards reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses, therapists, emergency department staff, EMS partners, and multidisciplinary care teams who work together every day to provide exceptional stroke care,” said Adrian Burgos MD, medical director of the PIH Health Stroke Program. “We are honored to receive this national recognition and remain committed to continuously improving outcomes for the communities we serve.”
 
Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report.
When a stroke occurs, every minute counts. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimizing brain injury and improving recovery.
 
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program helps hospitals improve patient outcomes by promoting adherence to the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines. Hospitals recognized with the Gold Plus award have demonstrated sustained achievement in delivering high-quality stroke care and meeting rigorous performance measures.
 
“Our goal is to provide every stroke patient with timely, coordinated care based on the latest clinical evidence,” said Dr. Burgos. “This recognition reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care when every second matters.”
 
For more information about PIH Health’s comprehensive stroke services, visit PIHHealth.org/Stroke