For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Bailee Busby
Marketing Director
(870) 291-0000
[email protected]
www.forrestcitymedicalcenter.com
Forrest City Medical Center Nationally Recognized for Its Role in Providing Quality Care for Severe Heart Attacks in East Arkansas
The American Heart Association awards Mission: Lifeline® Regional STEMI Recognition for proven dedication to ensuring access to best practices life-saving care
FORREST CITY, Ark., July 28, 2025–(Forrest City Medical Center) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Regional Recognition award for its regional collaboration regarding the care for those experiencing the most severe heart attacks. The Mission: Lifeline Regional achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to work with their referring and receiving hospital partners, as well as EMS, to establish a system of care based on the most up-to-date research-based guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association.
Each year, more than 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) require hospitalization in the U.S., and about 30% of ACS cases are classified as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.1 Rapid restoration of blood flow through mechanical means and/or clot-dissolving medication is essential to prevent death and permanent heart damage.
Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to enhance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive medical conditions, including severe heart attacks. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt heart attack interventions – from the initial 911 call and EMS transport through hospital treatment and discharge.
Delivering optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination across the entire care continuum, made up of individual hospitals, EMS agencies and the broader health care system. The American Heart Association recognizes Forrest City Medical Center as a participant in the awarded (Mission: Lifeline East Arkansas region).
“The Misson: Lifeline Regional award recognizes excellence in STEMI systems of care,” said Abhinav Goyal, M.D., MHS, FACC, FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association’s Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group. “Through care coordination, awarded regions have demonstrated their commitment to high quality and efficient STEMI patient care.”
“Forrest City Medical Center is pleased to be part of the (Mission: Lifeline East Arkansas region) recognized for its achievements in cardiac care and collective dedication to our heart attack patients,” said (Hospital Spokesperson). “Our goal is to continue to deliver the best care to each and every heart attack patient in our region.”
About Mission: Lifeline®
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® program is a national initiative to improve the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive medical conditions. Mission: Lifeline is dedicated to fostering collaboration among health care stakeholders and aims to reduce mortality and morbidity rates for patients while improving overall care quality and patient outcomes. For more information, visit heart.org.