Roger Williams Recognized for Stroke Care
Roger Williams Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, the highest recognition, for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the U.S, according to the AHA’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
“Roger Williams and CharterCARE Health of RI are committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Jeff Liebman, CharterCARE CEO. “Get With The Guidelines helps our teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping people in Providence and surrounding communities live longer, healthier lives.”
Jeff credited the work of the hospital’s stroke committee under the leadership of Dr. Gayle Rebovich, Director of the Division of Neurology, Candy Wray, RN, Nurse Manager of the ED, and Rachel Bernier, Clinical Quality Coordinator. The committee included Shelli Harding, Sarah Konecnik, Tracey Casala, Michelle Solitro-Fitzgerald, Dr. Anatoly Kazakin, Megan Levigne, Russell Davis, Kara Lefebvre, Elizabeth Greene.
Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. This is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.