Elkin, NC, January 14, 2026 – Hugh Chatham Health has been recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care by the Women’s Choice Award®, placing it among the top-performing hospitals nationwide. This designation signifies that Hugh Chatham Health ranks in the top 9%of over 4,600 U.S. hospitals offering stroke care services.
According to the American Stroke Association:
- 1 in 5 women will experience a stroke in her lifetime
- Women account for nearly 60% of stroke-related deaths
- Studies show women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for stroke—even when presenting with the same symptoms as men
“Timely diagnosis and effective care are critical to preventing disability and improving recovery outcomes,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “The time to identify your community’s leading hospital for stroke care is now—not in the middle of a medical emergency when every minute counts.”
Award Criteria
The Women’s Choice Award for Stroke Care is the only national designation that combines clinical excellence, patient satisfaction, and women’s healthcare preferences to identify top-performing hospitals.
To qualify, hospitals must:
- Hold a Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission (JC) and/or Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
- Meet or exceed performance measures from CMS, including:
- Top 80% of hospitals for timely Head CT scan results (within 45 minutes)
- No rating of “Worse than the National Rate” for deaths from serious treatable complications
The methodology also includes:
- HCAHPS survey results (patients who “definitely recommend” the hospital)
“Receiving top care within the first three hours of a stroke is critical to preventing long-term disability,” added Passi. “Our award helps women—and their families—identify hospitals where they have the best chance of a full recovery.”
Hugh Chatham Health is one of 503 hospitals nationwide to earn this prestigious recognition for 2026.
Mary Blackburn, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at Hugh Chatham Health, said “At Hugh Chatham Health, we are deeply committed to providing every patient with the highest-quality, safest care possible. Receiving another Women’s Choice Award for Stroke Care is a meaningful affirmation of the expertise, teamwork, and dedication of our providers, clinical staff, and teammates. We are proud to be recognized for the important work we do each day to improve the lives of people in the Yadkin Valley who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance for recovery and survival.”
For the full list of Best Hospitals for Stroke Care, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-stroke-centers
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ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®
The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and a prestigious credential that identifies the nation’s top hospitals based on rigorous criteria, including clinical performance, patient satisfaction, and relevant accreditations. Hospitals earning this designation demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering exceptional care and prioritizing the health and well-being of their patients.
As the only award that incorporates the preferences of women in its methodology, the Women’s Choice Award empowers women to make informed healthcare decisions with confidence. In fact, 84% of women say they would trust a hospital more if it carried the Women’s Choice Award seal, making it a powerful symbol of quality and trust.
To learn more, visit www.womenschoiceaward.com.
About Hugh Chatham Health (www.hughchatham.org) is a not-for-profit community health care network of physician clinics and an 81-bed acute care hospital that serves residents of the Yadkin Valley region of North Carolina and southwestern Virginia. Recently becoming part of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Hugh Chatham employs more than 900 teammates at its hospital, 24 medical practices, and home health agency. Headquartered in Elkin, North Carolina, Hugh Chatham has been nationally recognized for patient satisfaction, patient safety, and clinical quality.
