People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades.

For its efforts to improve stroke care and eliminate rural health disparities, Wallowa Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines — Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze Award.

The Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, recognizes that people in rural areas face a unique set of challenges to accessing health care and that rural hospitals must work with varied patient care dynamics. For

that reason, all rural hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines — Stroke program are eligible to receive award recognition focused on a unique set of performance metrics.

“We are proud that our team at Wallowa Memorial is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Wallowa County who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Amy Mork, registered nurse at clinical nurse educator. “Meeting the unique needs of our community is critical to improving health outcomes.”

For more information, go to the website heart.org/ruralrecognition.