Concord Hospital Health System Earns Multiple American Heart Association Stroke Achievement Awards
Concord, Franklin, and Laconia hospitals recognized for excellence in stroke care and quality improvement
Concord Hospital Health System (CHHS) has once again earned national recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA) for its commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. Concord Hospital, Concord Hospital - Franklin, and Concord Hospital - Laconia each received 2026 Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) stroke achievement awards, recognizing the staff's dedication to following the latest clinical guidelines and improving outcomes for patients experiencing stroke.
2026 Recognitions
- Concord Hospital
- GWTG Stroke Gold Plus
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite
- Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Concord Hospital – Franklin
- Concord Hospital – Laconia
- GWTG Stroke Gold Plus
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite
- Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Rural Stroke Gold
The Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite recognizes hospitals that achieve rapid treatment times for stroke patients, while the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognizes hospitals that provide evidence-based care for stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes, who are often at increased risk for complications.
"These awards represent the dedication of teams across our entire health system who work together every day to ensure patients receive the highest quality stroke care from the moment they arrive," said Delia Canfield, BSN, RN, CEN, SCRN, stroke program manager for Concord Hospital - Franklin and Laconia. "Every minute matters during a stroke, and our physicians, nurses, EMS partners, therapists, imaging teams, laboratory staff, and many others continuously refine our processes, so patients receive timely, evidence-based treatment that gives them the best possible chance for recovery."
GWTG is AHA's premier hospital-based quality improvement program. Participating health systems such as CHHS demonstrate their commitment to following nationally recognized, research-based guidelines that improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions, and save lives.
"Our stroke teams never stop looking for ways to improve," said Christina Darling, BSN, RN, stroke program manager for Concord. "Whether it's education, simulation training, data review, or collaboration with our EMS partners, we're committed to continually strengthening the care we provide. Receiving these awards year after year demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional stroke care close to home for the communities we serve."
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. Recognizing stroke symptoms quickly and seeking immediate medical attention are essential to improving outcomes. The AHA encourages everyone to remember the warning signs using the acronym BE FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time to call 911.
For more information about stroke care, visit www.concordhospital.org.
