New Hanover Regional Medical Center has been recognized for excellence in preventing heart attacks and strokes by
Million Hearts – a national initiative that aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in five years. Million Hearts focuses on a small set of priorities selected for their ability to reduce heart disease, stroke, and related conditions.
NHRMC was selected based upon the use of innovative care strategies and prevention and treatment achievements.
“I’m really excited and proud of the efforts NHRMC has undertaken to be recognized as a Million Hearts Health System,” said Mackie King IV, PharmD, BCPS, a pharmacist with NHRMC Physician Specialists – Internal Medicine Specialists, and part of the team at NHRMC working on the initiative.
“The Million Hearts program specifically acknowledged NHRMC for its dedication to its employees by highlighting the Healthy Lifestyles plan and the employee fitness center as well as dedication to our patients’ health by focusing on quality care,” King said. “They also acknowledged our community outreach efforts through interventions like the Barbershop and Dancin’ in the Park initiatives as ways to try and help keep our community healthy and connect them with healthcare services they may need.”
The Million Hearts Hospitals & Health Systems Recognition Program acknowledges institutions working to improve the cardiovascular health of the population and communities they serve through the priority areas of: 1) Keeping People Healthy, 2) Optimizing Care, 3) Improving Outcomes for Priority Populations, and 4) Innovating for Health. The initiative is co-led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“On behalf the CDC and our Million Hearts team, we are pleased to recognize New Hanover Regional Medical Center for their dedication and commitment to improving the cardiovascular health of their patients, employees and community,” said Laurence Sperling, M.D., Executive Director of Million Hearts. “New Hanover Regional Medical Center is an excellent example of how an institution can work to keep people healthy, optimize cardiovascular care, and focus on priority populations to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular events in America.”
The Million Hearts Hospitals & Health Systems Recognition Program is intended to promote innovative approaches to tackle the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. The program provides an opportunity for hospitals to get involved in Million Hearts and to be recognized for the important work they are doing. It also enables participants to identify new areas and ways in which they can prevent cardiovascular events. Some 1.6 million people in the U.S. have a heart attack or stroke each year.