WHC nationally recognized for its commitment to quality care for heart attacks and strokes 

Waverly Health Center (WHC) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ® EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. 

Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital. 

Mission: Lifeline ® EMS is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems. 

“Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals,” said Edward Jauch, M.D., MS, MBA, chair of the department of research at the University of North Carolina Health Sciences at Mountain Area Health Center. “Early condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life. 

“The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline ® EMS awards are an important way to recognize the crucial roles and performances of EMS personnel in stroke and cardiac patients’ care,” said Jauch. 

The Mission: Lifeline ® EMS achievement award focuses on agencies’ on-scene care, bringing to the forefront the collaboration and contributions to patient care for prehospital provides. 

Guided by Nick Nedza, emergency services manager, the EMS personnel at WHC are known for their professionalism and high quality of care. “We have remarkable people providing care in our emergency services departments,” said Joni Poppe, WHC’s chief outpatient services officer. “They use the research-based and established expertise and protocols through the Mission: Lifeline ® program to ensure our patients have the best possible chance of survival.” 

"Waverly Health Center is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association with the Mission: Lifeline ® EMS Gold achievement award for our exceptional care and dedication to heart attack patients," said Poppe.