The The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has informed Parrish Medical Center that the hospital is receiving the commission's Gold Seal of Approval as a primary stroke center. Only 55 healthcare centers in the entire country have been certified as primary stroke centers.

"This means PMC has earned a gold seal of approval for providing the highest quality stroke care," said George Mikitarian, PMC president and chief executive officer. "It further demonstrates that PMC continues to fulfill its promise to provide the best possible health care anywhere and that we are working every day to make that care even better."

"The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations certification requires a rigorous two-stage review," said Sheryl O'Connor, PMC director for quality and risk management, "Parrish Medical Center was evaluated on national standards and stringent performance measures recommended by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations."

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care.