HCA Houston Conroe Achieves Top-Tier Stroke Care

CONROE, Texas — HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe has reaffirmed its standing as a regional leader in neurological care, securing the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association’s (ASA) Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award for the 11th consecutive year. The recognition, based on 2023 performance data, marks more than a decade of sustained adherence to the rigorous clinical standards required to manage complex stroke cases.

Beyond the Gold Plus distinction, the hospital also earned the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. These accolades signify that the Conroe facility not only meets national quality benchmarks but frequently exceeds them, particularly in the critical area of time-sensitive intervention.

A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States, according to the CDC, making the speed of care a life-or-death factor. The Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus focuses specifically on the door-to-needle time, which measures how quickly a hospital administers life-saving clot-busting medication to patients suffering from acute ischemic strokes. While the national benchmark for this honor requires treating 75% of eligible patients within 60 minutes, HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe outperformed this, treating 75% of patients within 45 minutes and 50% of patients within 30 minutes.

Dr. Daniel Okoro, Medical Director of the Stroke Program at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, emphasized that these numbers represent more than just internal metrics.

These awards reflect the expertise, passion and tireless efforts of our entire stroke care team at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, Dr. Okoro said. Every minute counts when it comes to stroke, and we are committed to providing advanced, life-saving care to our community.

The hospital’s recognition on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll further addresses the complex comorbidities often seen in stroke patients. Because patients with diabetes face higher risks for complications during and after a stroke, the hospital follows specific evidence-based protocols that integrate blood glucose management into the broader stroke recovery plan.

Matt Chance, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, noted that the hospital's designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center—the highest level of stroke certification available—is supported by this ongoing commitment to quality.

We are very proud to be a Comprehensive Stroke Center and receive these recognitions, Chance said. Our team strives to provide high-quality stroke care in Conroe, and these awards demonstrate our commitment to helping our patients have the best possible outcomes.

The Get With The Guidelines program was launched by the American Heart Association to reduce hospital readmissions and mortality rates by ensuring that healthcare providers follow the latest evidence-based treatment plans. HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe’s ability to maintain these high standards for over a decade places it in a select group of hospitals nationwide capable of delivering rapid, specialized neurological intervention.

For residents in Montgomery County, these awards serve as a key indicator of local capability. As stroke survival often depends on proximity to advanced neurological resources, the Conroe facility remains a vital hub for patients experiencing neurological emergencies.

More information about the hospital's stroke program and its full range of neurological services can be found at hcahoustonhealthcare.com. Residents are reminded that if they suspect a stroke, they should recognize the warning signs—such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty—and call 911 immediately.