The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis is nationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in cardiovascular care
The American Heart Association presents the Get With The Guidelines® awards for proven dedication to best practices, life-saving care
TOPEKA, Kan. (July 21, 2026) — The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus has received two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, the health system’s St. Francis Campus qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.
“Receiving this recognition from the American Heart Association reflects the exceptional work happening across our organization every day,” said Scott Campbell, St. Francis Campus CEO. “From the moment a patient experiencing a heart attack or stroke enters our doors, our teams are focused on delivering timely, evidence-based care that gives patients the best possible chance for recovery. We are proud of this achievement and remain committed to raising the standard of care for patients throughout the region.”
This year, the health system’s St. Francis Campus received these achievement awards:
- Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI GOLD with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
“These awards reflect St. Francis Campus’ 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, St. Francis 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.”
About The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus
The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus in Topeka is proud to be a part of a long legacy of high-quality, compassionate care. St. Francis Hospital began serving its community in 1909 as the mission of a group of Catholic nuns who rose to meet a need. Today, St. Francis Campus is jointly owned by The University of Kansas Health System and Ardent Health. It has 378 licensed inpatient beds, 21 primary and specialty care clinic locations—including a cancer center location in partnership with The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and a history of technological advancements and dedicated staff. To learn more about The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, visit KUTopeka.com.
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.