Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Earns National Honors for Heart Attack, Stroke and CPR Care

July 16, 2025 — Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has received multiple national awards from the American Heart Association for its proven commitment to high-quality care in the treatment of heart attacks, strokes and in-hospital cardiac arrest. The hospital was recognized through the association’s Get With The Guidelines and Target: Type 2 Diabetes programs, which promote evidence-based, research-driven clinical practices that improve patient outcomes.

CRMC was awarded:

• Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus
• Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll (for both stroke and NSTEMI care)
• Target: CPR Achievement Award

These recognitions highlight CRMC’s dedication to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure patients receive timely, appropriate and lifesaving care in critical moments.

National leadership in cardiac arrest response

CRMC received the Target: CPR Achievement Award for its commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately helping to improve survival rates.

Each year, more than 300,000 adults and children experience an in-hospital cardiac arrest. Survival depends heavily on a rapid response and the consistent delivery of high-quality CPR. Hospitals that earn this award monitor CPR quality metrics such as compression rate, depth and fraction (time spent performing compressions) and apply that data to improve outcomes.

“We are pleased to recognize CRMC for its commitment to providing high-quality CPR,” said Dr. Paul S. Chan, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Resuscitation System of Care Advisory Group. “Effective CPR can be the difference between life and death; during a cardiac arrest, every second and every compression count.”

Excellence in heart attack treatment

CRMC earned the NSTEMI Gold recognition for offering rapid, research-based care for patients experiencing a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), a common and serious type of heart attack. About 70% of all acute coronary syndrome cases in the United States fall into this category.

“In the event of an NSTEMI heart attack, adherence to the American Heart Association’s guidelines is critical. These guidelines include specific recommendations for in-hospital care and cardiac rehabilitation post-discharge,” said Dr. Abhinav Goyal, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group.

National recognition for stroke care

CRMC also received the Stroke Gold Plus award for ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving outcomes, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize CRMC for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Unified commitment to patient care

“CRMC is dedicated to improving patient care across all disciplines by adhering to the American Heart Association’s latest treatment guidelines,” said Tim Thornell, CRMC president and CEO. “Whether it’s stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest, our team puts proven practices to work every day to ensure more people in our region can live longer, healthier lives.”

CRMC also received Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition in both its stroke and NSTEMI programs. This initiative aims to ensure that patients with Type 2 diabetes — who are at higher risk for complications — receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized for stroke or heart-related conditions.

About Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is a full-service, nonprofit health system that has been caring for the people of Wyoming and the surrounding region for more than 150 years. Founded in 1867 as a frontier tent hospital to care for Union Pacific Railroad workers, CRMC has grown into a regional referral center offering nationally recognized services in cardiac care, trauma, orthopedics, cancer treatment and behavioral health. With a proud legacy rooted in resilience and innovation, CRMC continues to honor its pioneering spirit by advancing care, improving access and meeting the evolving health needs of the communities it serves.

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 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.