All Four Health First Hospitals Earn Prestigious American Heart Association Gold Seal Awards

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States

Accolades underscore Health First’s commitment to providing high-quality, research-based cardiovascular care.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – All four Health First hospitals have received American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke –  ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

The AHA’s Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline put the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.

As a participant in Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs, Health First qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

“Health First is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Mike Mullowney, Health First Hospital Division President.

“The Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in Brevard County experience longer, healthier lives.”

“Access to the right care – at the right time – can mean the difference between life and death. I am proud of Health First’s commitment to the pursuit if outstanding care and quality, and these honors represent the highest level of performance,” said Victor Vargas, MD, Health First Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Division.

“I commend every physician, nurse, and associate who has committed to this level of excellence, which differentiates us as one of the leading centers for cardiovascular care in the nation.”

The American Heart Association accolades cap a strong month for Health First. Just last week, U.S. News ranked Holmes Regional Medical Center No. 1 in Brevard County and No. 24 in the state of Florida, among more than 300 hospitals in the state.

Further, Holmes Regional was highlighted for 11 “high performing specialties,” while Viera Hospital also earned honors with one high performing specialty.

This year, Health First received the following achievement awards:

Holmes Regional Medical Center:

■ Get With The Guidelines -Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll
■ Elite Plus with Advanced Therapy with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Cape Canaveral Hospital:

■ Get With The Guidelines -Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke
■ Honor Roll Elite with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Viera Hospital:

■ Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke
■ Honor Roll Elite with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Palm Bay Hospital:

■ Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite

“These awards show Health First’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee.

“By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Health First can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001.

For more information, visit Heart.org.

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