07/23/2026
We are honored to work with Taylor Regional Hospital!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2026
CONTACT:
Taylor Regional Hospital
Rachael Thompson, Marketing and Public Relations Director
[email protected]
Taylor Regional Hospital Recognized for Advancing Rural Stroke Care
American Heart Associationās Get With The GuidelinesĀ®āStroke Rural Recognition Silver Award honors efforts to address the unique healthcare needs of rural communities
CAMPBELLSVILLE, KENTUCKY, JULY 23, 2026 ā People living in rural communities have an average life expectancy that is three years shorter than their urban counterparts. They also have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk of stroke mortality, according to an American Heart Association presidential advisory on rural health.
Taylor Regional Hospital is committed to changing those outcomes. We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our communities.
On our journey to helping people live their best lives, optimize stroke care, strengthen collaboration, and reduce gaps in rural health outcomes, Taylor Regional Hospital has received the American Heart Associationās Get With The GuidelinesĀ®āStroke Rural Recognition Silver Award.
This achievement reflects Taylor Regional Hospitalās continued commitment to changing healthcare by ensuring patients throughout Central Kentucky have access to timely, evidence-based stroke care close to home.
The American Heart Association recognizes the essential healthcare services provided by rural hospitals, which play a vital role in initiating timely, evidence-based stroke care. All rural hospitals participating in Get With The GuidelinesāStroke are eligible to receive recognition based on a unique methodology focused on early acute stroke performance measures.
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Associationās 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die.
Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing long-term disability and supporting a faster recovery.
āWe are incredibly proud that Taylor Regional Hospital is being recognized for the important work our team does every day to improve stroke care for the people of Central Kentucky,ā said Mike Everett, CEO of Taylor Regional Hospital. āWhen a stroke occurs, every second matters. This award reflects our commitment to recognizing symptoms quickly, providing timely, evidence-based treatment and giving every patient the best possible chance for survival and recovery.ā
āProviding high-quality stroke care in a rural community requires preparation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Rural hospitals can face challenges such as extended transportation times and limited resources, but we refuse to allow geography to determine the quality of care our patients receive. This is what changing healthcare looks likeāstrengthening systems, expanding access, working together and bringing exceptional care closer to home. This achievement belongs to every team member and community partner who plays a role in the stroke-care process. I am extremely proud of their dedication, teamwork and commitment to the patients and families we serve,ā Shared Mike Everett, TRH CEO.
Taylor Regional Hospital extends its sincere appreciation to the many professionals within TRH and collaborative partners whose coordinated efforts make timely stroke care possible. This includes the Campbellsville-Taylor County EMS, Campbellsville Fire & Rescue, and Air Evac.
Taylor Regional Hospital has also strengthened its stroke-care capabilities through partnerships with Viz.ai technology, UK HealthCare and the UK/Norton Healthcare Stroke Care Network. These resources support rapid communication, timely access to stroke specialists and coordinated clinical decision-making when every second matters.
From the first emergency response and communication to rapid assessment, diagnostic imaging, treatment and transfer coordination, each team plays an essential role in the stroke-care process. Their collaboration demonstrates that changing healthcare is a shared effortāone that depends on strong partnerships, clear communication and a commitment to doing what is best for every patient.
The Rural Recognition Silver Award honors hospitals for their commitment to excellence in acute stroke care, as demonstrated through performance on guideline-directed measures. These measures include intravenous thrombolytic therapy, timely interfacility transfer, dysphagia screening, documentation of symptom timelines and neurological deficits, emergency medical services communication, brain imaging and consultation with a stroke expert.
āPatients and healthcare professionals in Central Kentucky face unique healthcare challenges and opportunities,ā said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee and co-author of the Associationās advisory on rural health. āTaylor Regional Hospital has advanced the important work of improving care for all Americans, regardless of where they live.ā
Taylor Regional Hospital is proud to receive this recognition and remains committed to improving outcomes, strengthening rural healthcare and continuing to change healthcare for Central Kentucky and beyond.
About Taylor Regional Hospital
Taylor Regional Hospital is a 90-bed acute care hospital serving a regional population of 110,000 people.
Taylor Regional Hospital has a rich history dating back to 1968, when Rosary Hospital, operated by the Dominican Order of St. Catherine, was sold to the Taylor County Hospital District. In 1972, construction began on Taylor County Hospital.
Over the years, several additions and renovations resulted in significant growth. On July 11, 2003, Taylor County Hospital officially became Taylor Regional Hospital.
Today, Taylor Regional Hospital is proud to be the areaās leading choice for compassionate, high-quality healthcare. The hospitalās visionāto be the preferred healthcare provider dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the regionāis supported by its mission to provide outstanding healthcare to the people it serves.
Taylor Regional Hospital remains committed to going above and beyond to meet the needs of patients, families and communities throughout Central Kentucky and beyond.
Thank you for trusting Taylor Regional Hospital with your healthcare.
About Get With The GuidelinesĀ®
Get With The GuidelinesĀ® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Associationās hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
Know the Signs. Act B.E. F.A.S.T.
When it comes to stroke, every second matters. Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.:
⢠B ā Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
⢠E ā Eyes: Sudden vision changes
⢠F ā Face: Does one side of the face droop?
⢠A ā Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
⢠S ā Speech: Is speech slurred or difficult?
⢠T ā Time: Call 911 immediately.
Recognizing the warning signs and seeking emergency care right away can help save a life, reduce long-term disability, and improve recovery. At Taylor Regional Hospital, we're committed to providing rapid, high-quality stroke care when every minute counts.
www.trhosp.org