M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital was recognized as high performing for stroke care, along with M Health Fairview St. John’s and Ridges hospitals.

Three M Health Fairview hospitals recognized for high performance in stroke care

Every minute matters when someone is having a stroke. M Health Fairview hospital and medical center providers are trained in the latest stroke treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention.

Our health system is honored to be recognized for its expert stroke care. M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, Ridges Hospital, and St. John’s Hospital were listed as high performing in the best hospitals for stroke list by U. S. News & World Report in 2024. This is the second year in a row that Southdale and Ridges hospitals received the honor.

Six other hospitals in our health system — M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, Woodwinds Hospital, Lakes Medical Center, Northland Medical Center, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, and Fairview Range Medical Center — were also recognized for providing quality stroke care by U.S. News & World Report.

Hospitals are rated on multiple data categories including patient survival 30 days after hospitalization, recovery at home, and number of patients served. More than 6,000 hospitals were evaluated and locations that earned a high performing rating ranked within the top 10% of all hospitals for stroke care. Just 582 hospitals across the country received a high performing rating.

“We have invested considerable effort and resources to build a specialist stroke team and telemedicine infrastructure that can treat all stroke patients wherever they are located within M Health Fairview,” said Christopher Streib, MD, cerebrovascular director with M Health Fairview and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “All stroke patients have equitable access to specialist care within their own community hospital. Only the sickest and most complex stroke patients need to be transferred to our tertiary referral centers for around-the-clock neurointensive care and surgical interventions. The widespread recognition of our hospitals is a testament to the dedication and excellence of the entire stroke team, including providers, nurses, and therapists.”

A focus on evidence-based treatments

Seven of our hospitals received achievement awards from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, in 2024. Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke is a hospital program for improving stroke care by following evidence-based treatment guidelines. The goal of the program is to save lives and speed recovery.

Stroke program coordinators and site stroke champions partner at our M Health Fairview hospitals to help identify root causes and develop meaningful interventions that help drive quality care.

“The American Stroke Association award standards are designed to drive positive outcomes,” Streib said. “Our care teams take pride in being recognized for the life-saving care provided to our patients.”

Three of our hospitals hold higher-level stroke center designations from the Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association/American Heart Association. M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center (Comprehensive Stroke Center), Southdale Hospital (Thrombectomy-capable Stroke Center), and St. John’s Hospital (Primary Stroke Center) have received advanced certification. Certified centers are evaluated based on current patient volumes, advanced imaging capabilities, post-hospital care coordination, neurosurgery, and more. M Health Fairview takes a patient-centric approach from evaluation and diagnosis to neuro-endovascular services and rehabilitation support. This helps us treat even the most complex cases.

M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital

High Performing in Stroke, U.S. News and World Report
Stroke Gold Plus Quality Award, Stroke Honor Roll Elite, and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Get With The Guidelines®
Thrombectomy-capable Stroke Center, The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association/American Heart Association

M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital

High Performing in Stroke, U.S. News and World Report

M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital

High Performing in Stroke, U.S. News and World Report
Stroke Gold Award, Get With The Guidelines®
Primary Stroke Center, The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association/American Heart Association

M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center

Quality stroke care, U. S. News and World Report
Stroke Gold Award and Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy, Get With The Guidelines®
Comprehensive Stroke Center, The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association/American Heart Association

M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center