Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce that the Emergency Medical Services Department has received the 2024 Mission: Lifeline® GOLD Award from the American Heart Association. This recognition is part of a program designed to showcase prehospital agencies nationwide for excellence in heart attack and stroke care.

Emergency services personnel are often the first healthcare professionals to care for patients with acute emergencies, paving the way for positive patient outcomes.

“Patients in need of emergency care are in excellent hands with our EMS team,” said Charlene Diehl, Director, Diagnostic and Ancillary Services, Mount Nittany Health. “Their compassion and professionalism are unmatched, and I’m thrilled to see their efforts recognized with the Mission: Lifeline® EMS GOLD Award.”

Data collected by EMS staff in 2023 showed that Mount Nittany Health is providing excellent care to patients with cardiac chest pain, ST segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs), and acute stroke symptoms. Metrics included notification of timely pre-arrival alerts to the Medical Center for heart attacks and suspected strokes; assessment, treatment, and documentation of strokes; assessments for suspected heart attacks; and medication administration to STEMI positive patients.

“This annual recognition shows that personnel met or exceeded evaluation metrics of best practices for heart attacks and strokes,” said Chris Hockenberry, NREMT-P, Supervisor and Education Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services, Mount Nittany Health. “This is evidence that our team provides care that is improving patient outcomes on a daily basis.”

Mount Nittany Health’s dedicated EMS personnel provide critical care and support to patients in their time of need. This national recognition underscores our EMS team’s commitment to our mission of ‘Healthier people, stronger community.’