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Forrest City Medical Center Earns National Recognition 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
FORREST CITY, Ark. (July 3, 2026) — Forrest City Medical Center (FCMC) 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, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.
This year, Forrest City Medical Center received these achievement awards:
- Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center – Bronze
- Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS – Bronze
“For families in Eastern Arkansas, having nationally recognized cardiac care close to home can be the difference between minutes and hours in an emergency,” said Robert Rupp, CEO of Forrest City Medical Center. “These awards tell our community what our teams prove every day: you don’t have to leave Forrest City to receive heart care that meets rigorous national standards.”
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.
“These awards reflect Forrest City Medical Center’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, Forrest City Medical Center 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.”
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping make certain patient care is aligned with the latest science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, FCMC qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.
About Forrest City Medical Center:
Forrest City Medical Center delivers comprehensive medical care to Forrest City and Eastern Arkansas. FCMC offers a broad range of services from emergency care and surgery to women’s health, diagnostics, and specialty clinics. Our mission is to provide the community and surrounding areas with quality, compassionate care with a personalized touch.
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.
