Wythe County Community Hospital Earns American Heart Association Rural Stroke Bronze Achievement Award

WYTHEVILLE, - VA. AUG 11, 2026 – Wythe County Community Hospital (WCCH) has been recognized by the American Heart Association with the 2026 Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Bronze Achievement Award, highlighting the hospital's commitment to providing evidence-based stroke care for patients across Southwest Virginia. The award recognizes hospitals that demonstrate dedication to improving stroke treatment and patient outcomes through adherence to nationally recognized clinical guidelines.

The Get With The Guidelines® program was developed by the American Heart Association to help healthcare organizations implement the most current evidence-based treatment recommendations, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered to patients experiencing stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. The Rural Stroke Achievement Award specifically recognizes hospitals serving rural communities that have demonstrated success in applying these standards to patient care.

"This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and collaboration of our physicians, nurses, emergency department team, imaging staff, rehabilitation specialists and countless others who play a role in caring for stroke patients," said Theresa Dix, Chief Executive Officer of Wythe County Community Hospital. "Providing timely, high-quality stroke care is critical in rural communities, and we are proud of our team's commitment to following proven, evidence-based practices that help improve outcomes for our patients."

The award is based on performance data submitted through the Get With The Guidelines® program and recognizes WCCH's success in meeting established stroke care criteria during the evaluation period from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The recognition highlights the hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive care aligned with the latest scientific research and treatment recommendations.

Stroke remains a leading cause of serious disability and death in the United States, making rapid recognition and treatment essential. Through ongoing quality improvement efforts, WCCH continues to strengthen its ability to deliver timely stroke care close to home for residents throughout Wythe County and the surrounding region.

The American Heart Association recognized Wythe County Community Hospital for its continued success in using the Get With The Guidelines® program and for applying the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes within the community it serves.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association," added Dix. "Our community deserves access to exceptional care without having to travel far from home, and this award reinforces our commitment to continuously improving the services we provide every day."

About Wythe County Community Hospital

Wythe County Community Hospital is a 100-bed acute care facility located in Wytheville, Virginia, and is part of Lifepoint Health. The hospital provides a comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, emergency and specialty care services to residents throughout Southwest Virginia and surrounding communities.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association's premier hospital-based quality improvement program designed to help healthcare teams provide evidence-based care aligned with the latest clinical guidelines and research. Hospitals participating in the program work to improve patient outcomes through continuous measurement and quality improvement initiatives.