Merit Health Madison receives seal of approval

Merit  Health Madison has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

Merit Health Madison underwent a rigorous onsite review on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including delivering and facilitating evidence-based clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Merit Health Madison for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“We congratulate Merit Health Madison for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

David Henry, chief executive officer of Merit Health Madison, says, “We are honored to be the first and only hospital in Madison County to earn this certification, establishing a new benchmark for care in our area. This accomplishment represents not just a milestone for our hospital but a win for the entire community. We are dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare to Madison County, and this certification reflects our ongoing commitment.”

Chief nursing officer Brad Polk adds, “I want to extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff, whose commitment has made this certification possible. We are proud to have earned this recognition, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community with expertise, compassion, and excellence."