The Valley Hospital Emergency Medical Services Recognized for Commitment to Quality Care for Heart Attacks and Stroke by Mission Lifeline

PARAMUS, NJ, June 18, 2025 – The Valley Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline? EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive on scene, up to an hour sooner than someone who goes to the hospital by car, according to the American Heart Association. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. Patients who arrive at the hospital by ambulance may also receive faster emergency medical care and treatment.

Mission: Lifeline EMS? is the American Heart Association's national initiative to advance care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment, starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between pre-hospital providers – the EMS team – and the healthcare system providing care.

The Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement award focuses on EMS agencies’ on-scene care, recognizing these pre-hospital providers’ collaboration and contributions to patient care.

“We are proud to receive this recognition from Mission: Lifeline, which was determined based on the 2024 performance of Valley’s EMS team,” said Ingrid Santucci, Manager of Emergency Medical Services for The Valley Hospital. “Our response to emergency medical calls was reviewed for pre-arrival notification, evaluation of blood glucose for patients with suspected stroke, and other factors. As a result of our quick response and reaction, we have been recognized for our high-quality care.”

“We are so grateful for our EMS team and the work they do so expertly in the field,” said Margaret Pogorelec, Assistant Vice President of Women’s, Children’s, and Emergency Services for The Valley Hospital. “This recognition illustrates that our patients are truly receiving the highest quality of care from first patient contact. I congratulate the EMS team for receiving this well-deserved recognition.”

For more information about emergency services at The Valley Hospital, please visit ValleyHealth.com/EmergencyServices.