COLUMBUS — Columbus Community Hospital (CCH) has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award for its efforts to improve stroke care and reduce gaps in rural health outcomes.
Hospitals receive this recognition for their continued success in using the Get With The Guidelines® program. The program encourages them to apply the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the rural communities they serve. The Silver award recognizes performance levels for 12 consecutive months and is based on CCH’s data from the 2025 calendar year.
“Ultimately, these guidelines help us deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for our patients,” said Dr. Kevin Montgomery, medical director of the hospital’s emergency department.
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading reason for disability in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment can improve survival, minimize disability and support faster recovery.
People in rural communities live an average of three years less than their urban counterparts. They have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease and are at an increased risk for dying or experiencing disabilities as the result of a stroke. Columbus Community Hospital is committed to changing that.
Natalie Sprunk, MSN, RN, stroke coordinator at the hospital, said early recognition and rapid treatment are critical factors in improving stroke recovery and reducing long-term disability.
“This success depends on strong collaboration between emergency medical services and the hospital's stroke care team,” she said, “ensuring patients receive timely, coordinated and high-quality care throughout every stage of treatment.”