UNC Health Blue Ridge awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission
MORGANTON, N.C. (July 17, 2025) – UNC Health Blue Ridge has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.
UNC Health Blue Ridge underwent a thorough, onsite review on May 16. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated the program’s compliance with related certification standards, standardized stroke care protocols, staff qualifications/training, interdisciplinary collaboration, individualized patient care, and compliance with American Heart Association/American Stroke Association clinical practice guidelines. Meeting these standards means that all patients get timely, high-quality care that is based on the most current clinical guidelines, which is crucial for better outcomes after a stroke has occurred.
“Becoming accredited as a Primary Stroke Center means that the community can access high-quality, evidence-based stroke care close to home,” said Courtney Ashley, MBA, BSN, RN, Stroke Program and Clinical Excellence Coordinator at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
Prior to UNC Blue Ridge receiving their new designation, the nearest Primary Stroke Centers to Burke County are in Boone and Hickory
“With our new designation, we can provide time-critical interventions and monitoring to give patients experiencing a stroke a greater chance at recovery without leaving home,” Courtney added.
“Blue Ridge’s Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Blue Ridge for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality, and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
“We congratulate UNC Health Blue Ridge for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”
“Our team worked very hard in getting this designation,” said UNC Health Blue Ridge President and CEO Gary Paxson. “I want to thank them for their time and dedication in bringing this vital service to Burke County.”
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
UNC Health Blue Ridge (www.unchealthblueridge.org) is a not-for-profit community healthcare system, providing advanced healthcare and wellness services from more than 50 locations across a three-county region of Western North Carolina. We are the only Level III Trauma Center in the region, offering advanced trauma services close to home. The system includes one hospital with two locations and a continuing care retirement community. Nearly 150 primary care physicians, physician specialists, and extenders in the Blue Ridge Medical Group combine with other physicians on the Medical Staff to serve patients in the region. UNC Health Blue Ridge provides graduate medical education programs for medical school graduates and students in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. UNCBR is affiliated with UNC Health System (www.unchealthcare.org), a not-for-profit integrated healthcare system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill.
