San Juan Regional Health

San Juan Regional Medical Center EMS has once again been recognized by the American Heart Association with the prestigious Mission: Lifeline? Gold Award for excellence in the treatment and care of patients experiencing time-sensitive cardiac emergencies. We have earned this recognition consistently since 2016, reflecting our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care and achieving outstanding patient outcomes for those experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes.

Mission: Lifeline EMS^? is the American Heart Association's national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks, strokes and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.

“Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals,” said Kacey Kronenfeld, M.D., FAEMS, chair of the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Taskforce. “Early condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life.”

For the first time in our organization’s history, SJRMC EMS is also being recognized on the American Heart Association’s Target: Heart Attack and Stroke Honor Rolls. These achievements represent a significant milestone and demonstrate our dedication to ensuring patients suffering from strokes and heart attacks receive coordinated care between prehospital and hospital providers. This coordinated care includes rapid assessment, appropriate treatment and timely access to definitive care.

                “These awards are not the result of a single individual or team. They are a reflection of the collective efforts of every field provider, communications specialist, supervisor, educator, mechanic, logistics team member, administrator, and hospital partner who contributes to our mission. Every call answered, every protocol followed, every quality improvement initiative, and every commitment to excellence has helped make this accomplishment possible,” said SJRMC’s EMS Chief William Coker.

“Thank you to our EMS crews for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. These awards are a direct reflection of the difference they make in the lives of our patients every day as first responders,” added SJRMC’s President and CEO Jason Rounds.

                Achieving the Gold Award for a tenth year in a row and earning both Honor Roll recognitions places SJRMC EMS among an elite group of EMS agencies nationwide. In fact, San Juan Regional Medical Center EMS was the only hospital in New Mexico to receive the Mission Lifeline designation. A full list of recipients by state is available: https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Files/Professional/Quality-Improvement/Mission-Lifeline/2026/2026-ML-EMS-Award-Winners.pdf?sc_lang=en.

By participating in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline? program, San Juan Regional Medical Center is committed to providing quality care to our communities, leading the way towards better health for years to come.