Trinity Health Grand Rapids Receives Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (April 28, 2025) – Trinity Health Grand Rapids has received a 3-year recertification from DNV as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events.

“With stroke care, you must have the best clinicians and resources, but also the ability to act organizationally with extreme efficiency because of the time-critical nature of stroke events,” said Muhammad Farooq, MD, Medical Director, Vascular Neurology, Trinity Health Medical Group, Hauenstein Neurosciences, Grand Rapids. “Certification helps us follow set guidelines and best practices for stroke care. This leads to better and more consistent treatment.”

The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the American Stroke Association and affirms that the stroke center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

 

A CSC is among the best-equipped hospitals in a geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication. This includes patients suffering hemorrhagic or large ischemic strokes with follow up care in an intensive care unit, patients with suspected aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, patients with strokes requiring specialized testing or therapies, such as endovascular surgery, and those requiring multispecialty management.

“Our stroke team is committed to providing our community with the most advanced stroke care, with proven protocols in place that allow us to respond and intervene quickly, reducing disability and death from a stroke,” said Dr. Farooq. “Our community is fortunate to have this amazing team ready to care for them should they ever be needed.”

Trinity Health Grand Rapids also holds the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. 

A stroke occurs when a clot blocks a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain or when the vessel bursts. When this happens, part of the brain does not get the blood and oxygen it needs. This leads to the death of brain cells in that area.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Timely stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times. In fact, rapid access to medical treatment makes the difference between full recovery and permanent disability. 

Certified stroke centers have the necessary structure, staff, and procedures to ensure rapid identification and treatment of strokes. You can feel sure that you are getting care at a place known for its skill in treating strokes.

Trinity Health Muskegon and Trinity Health Grand Haven are certified as Primary Stroke Centers, and Trinity Health Shelby as Acute Stroke Ready.

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