GOLDSBORO, NC — UNC Health Wayne has been recognized as one of the nation’s top-performing hospitals for heart attack treatment, receiving the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2025.
The Goldsboro hospital joins an elite group of just 323 hospitals nationwide to receive this prestigious honor, which recognizes sustained excellence in cardiovascular care over multiple years.
Award Recognizes Sustained Excellence
The Platinum Performance Achievement Award acknowledges UNC Health Wayne’s commitment to implementing the highest standards of care for heart attack patients. To earn the recognition, the hospital demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain – MI Registry for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) while performing at the highest level for specific performance measures.
The award signifies that UNC Health Wayne has successfully met aggressive goals for treating heart attack patients according to standards outlined by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association clinical guidelines.
National Leadership in Cardiac Care
“It is an honor to award UNC Health Wayne with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Dr. Michael C. Kontos, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.
Dr. Kontos emphasized that the award indicates UNC Health Wayne’s ongoing commitment to providing top-quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients, ensuring patients receive the highest quality cardiovascular care.
Addressing a Critical Health Challenge
The recognition comes as heart attacks continue to pose a significant health threat nationally. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Heart attacks occur when blood clots in coronary arteries partially or completely block blood flow to the heart muscle.
Current treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to blocked arteries, smoking cessation counseling, and cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Local Leadership Response
Dr. Jessie Tucker, President and CEO of UNC Health Wayne, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the recognition reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of cardiac care for the community.
“Earning this achievement award demonstrates the dedication of our medical staff and employees to consistently provide life-saving treatment that exceeds national standards,” Tucker said.
Quality Improvement Through Data
The Chest Pain – MI Registry program engages hospitals in a comprehensive quality improvement process that uses data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care for heart attack patients.
The registry empowers healthcare provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to current, science-based guidelines and establishes national standards for understanding and improving the quality, safety, and outcomes of care for patients with coronary artery disease.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology serves as the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health. Since 1949, the ACC has been the preeminent source of professional medical education for cardiovascular care teams, credentialing professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications.
The organization leads in the formation of health policy, standards, and guidelines through its JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, and CardioSmart patient resources.
