St. Mary’s Medical Center among nation’s top performing hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients

Marshall Health Network - St. Mary’s Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology's NCDR Chest Pain–MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2026. St. Mary's is one of only 350 hospitals nationwide—and just two in West Virginia—to earn the distinction. 

The award recognizes St. Mary's commitment to providing evidence-based care for heart attack patients and its success in consistently meeting the standards outlined in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. 

To earn the Platinum Performance Achievement Award, St. Mary's demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain–MI Registry for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025), achieving the highest level of performance on key quality measures. Participation in the registry supports continuous quality improvement by using clinical data to strengthen adherence to evidence-based guidelines and improve outcomes for patients experiencing a heart attack. 

“We are proud to present Marshall Health Network - St. Mary’s Medical Center with the Platinum Performance Achievement Award in recognition of its national leadership and steadfast commitment to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” Leslie L. Davis, Ph.D., ANP-BC, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee. “St. Mary’s achievement reflects its ongoing focus on providing high-quality, guideline-driven care for patients who experience a heart attack and helping ensure they receive exceptional cardiovascular care.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to restoring blood flow to the heart muscle and reducing the risk of long-term complications. Evidence-based care includes rapid intervention, appropriate medications, smoking cessation counseling and referral to cardiac rehabilitation when appropriate. 

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our team members—from physicians and nurses to emergency department teams and cardiac specialists—who work together to deliver timely, coordinated care," said Angie Swearingen, president of St. Mary’s Medical Center. "When someone experiences a heart attack, every minute matters. We are proud to be recognized for providing care that meets the highest national standards and helps improve outcomes for the patients and communities we serve." 

The American College of Cardiology's Chest Pain–MI Registry helps hospitals measure and improve the quality of care provided to patients with coronary artery disease, particularly those experiencing high-risk heart attacks. By participating in the registry, hospitals use data to evaluate performance, benchmark outcomes against national standards and identify opportunities to further enhance cardiovascular care.