McKenzie Health System Earns Three National Awards for Excellence in Heart Attack Care American Heart Association recognizes McKenzie for commitment to evidence-based, lifesaving cardiovascular care

McKenzie Health System has received three 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards, recognizing the health system’s commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing heart attacks.

McKenzie Health System received:

· Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Gold

· Get With The Guidelines® – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold

· Get With The Guidelines® – Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS Silver

The awards recognize McKenzie’s commitment to following current, research-based guidelines designed to improve cardiovascular care and patient outcomes.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and the systems we have built to provide patients with the right care as quickly as possible when every minute matters,” said Steve Barnett, President and CEO of McKenzie Health System. “For a rural community, having strong emergency cardiac care close to home — along with effective coordination with EMS and our regional partners when a higher level of care is needed — can make a tremendous difference for our patients and their families.”

STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is a severe type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to part of the heart. NSTE-ACS, or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, includes serious cardiac conditions caused by reduced blood flow to the heart that also require rapid evaluation and treatment.

For rural hospitals such as McKenzie, effective heart attack care depends not only on what happens inside the Emergency Department, but also on a coordinated system of care. McKenzie works closely with emergency medical services and regional cardiac care partners to rapidly identify heart attack patients, begin appropriate treatment and coordinate transfer when specialized cardiac intervention is needed.

Get With The Guidelines® puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest science-backed guidelines. Participating hospitals qualify for achievement awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.

“These awards reflect McKenzie Health System's commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, McKenzie Health System can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”

McKenzie’s 2026 recognition builds on its continued commitment to strengthening emergency cardiac care for Sanilac County and the surrounding region. The health system has participated in American Heart Association quality improvement initiatives for several years, using nationally recognized guidelines and coordinated processes to help ensure patients experiencing heart attacks receive timely, appropriate care.

“Earning three national recognitions — including two at the Gold level — is something our team can be very proud of,” Barnett added. “More importantly, these awards represent the work happening every day to make sure people in our community can count on high-quality care when they need it most.”

About McKenzie Health System

McKenzie Health System (MHS), a not-for-profit healthcare organization located in Sanilac County, Michigan, is known for its leadership, strong culture, and innovative approach to rural healthcare. The organization includes a critical access hospital located in Sandusky, Michigan, along with primary care, specialty and outpatient services provided at locations throughout Sanilac County and surrounding communities. With a focus on compassionate care, clinical excellence, and community connection, McKenzie’s dedicated team works collaboratively to provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services while continuously evolving to meet the needs of the communities it serves. To learn more about McKenzie Health System and its services, visit www.mckenziehealth.org or call 810-648-3770.

About Get With The 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 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.