In a year that has seen Southern Regional Medical Center earn two Gold Awards for heart attack and stroke care, the hospital has received yet another accolade from the American Heart Association - the Mission: Lifeline® Regional STEMI Trailblazer Achievement Award as a part of the Greater Metro Atlanta Region. The award is presented for implementing specific quality improvement measures at a regional level as outlined by the Association for treating patients who suffer severe heart attacks. This is the first year the Association has recognized regional achievement as part of its awards program for quality patient care. "We are honored that our STEMI team is being recognized as part of this Regional Trailblazer Achievement Award," stated Charlotte W. Dupré, President and CEO of Southern Regional Medical Center. "It is a testament to our partnership with local EMS and the collaborative commitment to high-quality care that we provide our heart attack patients ." The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline program's goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines and encourages EMS, STEMI Receiving Centers, STEMI Referring Hospitals and other key stakeholders coming together to implement the "optimal" STEMI System of Care.All Rights Reserved