Avera Facilities Earn AHA Recognition for Post-Acute Stroke Care

Several Avera facilities have been recognized for their participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

Certificate of Excellence: 

• Avera Prince of Peace 

Certificate of Achievement: 

• Avera McKennan Inpatient Rehabilitation 

• Avera St. Benedict Health Center 

Certificate of Recognition: 

• Avera Eureka Health Care Center

• Platte Healthcare Center Avera 

• St. Michael's Hospital Avera 

• Sunset Manor Avera 

• Wakonda Heritage Manor Avera

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. and approximately 800,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 statistical update. Participation in the American Heart Association’s post-acute care initiative can help facilities support faster and more effective recovery from stroke through standardized coordination, adherence and implementation of evidence-based care.

The post-acute care initiative provides a framework for assisting facilities to improve care according to the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.

Facilities participating in the post-acute care initiative receive a participation stipend and site-specific quality improvement support and process improvement ideas surrounding quality standards for stroke recovery, rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Facilities also have the opportunity to be part of a learning collaborative, working with experts in stroke rehabilitation to build tools and share and create best practices. Participation improves collaboration between post-acute care facilities and others involved in stroke care, including hospitals and outpatient providers.

Mission: Lifeline Stroke is the American Heart Association’s community-based initiative to develop systems of care to improve outcomes for stroke patients. The program launched in South Dakota in October 2024 with the support of a $4.4 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The goal of Mission: Lifeline Stroke is to bring together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, state and local government, and payers to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.