Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital Achieves Highest Designation for Stroke Care

Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital has earned designation as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center from the Joint Commission — the highest level of stroke certification awarded by the organization. Tradition Hospital is the first hospital on the Treasure Coast to achieve this designation.

The Joint Commission is an independent organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations by evaluating them against strict quality and safety standards, ensuring high-quality, safe care.

In 2023, Tradition Hospital received certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV Healthcare, becoming the first Comprehensive Stroke Center serving Florida’s Treasure Coast. The hospital was recertified by DNV in 2025. The new designation from The Joint Commission further reflects the expertise, technology and leadership invested in advancing stroke and neurological care for the region.

“This designation expands access to advanced, emergent stroke and neurological care for patients across the Treasure Coast and reinforces our commitment to delivering the safest and most reliable care,” said Marc A. Babi, MD, cerebrovascular center director for Cleveland Clinic in Florida.

“Our team approach—paired with highly advanced capabilities—helps ensure stroke emergencies are treated with the highest level of care,” said Whitney Mayberry, MD, co-medical director of the stroke program at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Centers provide the most specialized, high-acuity stroke care, including treatment for both ischemic (blocked artery) and hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes. These centers offer 24/7 access to advanced neurosurgical and endovascular therapies, specialized neuro-intensive care, dedicated stroke teams, and ongoing performance improvement.

Key capabilities and requirements of an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center include:

• Advanced diagnostics and imaging
• Rapid emergency triage systems for time-sensitive stroke treatment
• Standardized medical management and evidence-based protocols
• Dedicated stroke units
• Minimally invasive endovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke and aneurysms
• Specialized staffing and multidisciplinary expertise
• Specialized neurological and neurosurgical intensive care services
• Research, education and continuous quality improvement
• Comprehensive post-stroke follow-up and care coordination

“Receiving the highest Joint Commission designation for a stroke center is a testament to the commitment and expertise of the team of doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists and other health professionals who come to work every day to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients,” said Chirag Choudhary, MD, MBA, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, Martin North Hospital and Martin South Hospital.

Tradition Hospital’s neuro-endovascular biplane suite enables specialists to treat complex cerebrovascular conditions efficiently and supports strong door-to-treatment performance.

The state-of-the-art suite is designed to reduce radiation exposure and contrast doses while enhancing safety and procedural effectiveness. Advanced imaging capabilities, including 4D technology, provide real-time visualization to support precision in complex, minimally invasive interventions.

This precision enables clinicians to address even the most challenging cases with confidence and accuracy.

As a leading hub for stroke and acute care on the Treasure Coast, Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital treats more than 800 stroke patients annually, both through direct emergency department access and transfers from other hospitals.

Each year in the United States about 800,000 people experience a stroke. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults in this country. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, according to the CDC.