Weslaco hospital receives “Gold Plus” and “Diabetes Honor Roll” awards from the American Heart Association
WESLACO, TX, July 2025—Knapp Medical Center has received two awards for life-saving care of stroke patients from the American Heart Association: a “Stroke Gold Plus” award and a “Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll” award.
Knapp Medical Center received the “Get With The Guidelines®” quality achievement awards for the hospital’s commitment to ensuring patients with “brain attacks” receive the most appropriate treatment, according to nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines — ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability for stroke patients.
To receive the “Gold Plus” award, hospitals such as Knapp must be recognized for two or more consecutive years of 85% or higher adherence on all applicable achievement measures from the American Heart Association – as well as 75% or higher adherence with additional select quality measures in treating stroke patients.
The second award, the “Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™” award, recognizes hospitals who work to ensure that diabetes patients — who might be at higher risk for complications form stroke — receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
Strokes can be caused by clots which block the flow of blood to the brain, causing damage to the brain. At Knapp Medical Center, an advanced “thrombolytic” medication is used to help dissolve blood clots which are causing a stroke. The medication, Tenecteplase (TNK), is most effective if it is administered as soon as possible from when symptoms of a stroke begins. This means that it is critical to call 911 immediately whenever a loved one or another person shows signs of a possible stroke.
Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the Stroke System of Care Advisory Group for the American Heart Association, said the Heart Association was “incredibly pleased to recognize Knapp Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke.”
“Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities,”Dr. Messe added.
The awards won by Knapp and other hospitals will be featured in a national publication, US News and World Report, through an American Heart Association advertisement in the annual “Best Hospitals” edition.
Rene J. Lopez, MD, FACHE, RRT, Chief Executive Officer for Knapp Medical Center, said the hospital’s recognition is a testament to the work of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing “the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Mid-Valley – every patient, every time.”
Pablo Loredo III, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Knapp, said the awards help demonstrate the excellent care that is being provided to patients at Knapp — and is an important factor for residents to recognize when they weigh their healthcare options.
“Knapp Medical Center’s clinical team works consistently to pursue the highest standards for clinical excellence, and we are extremely proud of this achievement,” Mr. Loredo added. “We at Knapp Medical Center remain committed to the pursuit of patient-centered excellence in all that we do.”
Knapp Medical Center serves as the Mid-Valley’s only Advanced Primary Stroke Center, certified by the Joint Commission, the national accrediting organization for healthcare organizations.
Stroke is a disease which affects the arteries leading to the brain and the blood vessels within the brain. A stroke occurs when an artery that carries oxygen to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs — and that part of the brain starts to die.
Strokes are a leading cause of long-term disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. In the Valley, many people are at risk for stroke because of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
For more information on award-winning medical care in the Mid-Valley, please contact Knapp Medical Center at (956) 968-8567 or visit www.KnappMed.org.
ABOUT KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER
Knapp Medical Center is an award-winning, not-for-profit hospital in Weslaco, Texas. With 227 beds, the community hospital specializes in emergency care, critical care, obstetrics and gynecology, wound care, cardiology, gastroenterology, surgery, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and interventional radiology. Knapp serves as the only acute care hospital in the Mid-Valley area, as well as Weslaco’s only Level IV Trauma Center, Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Level II Newborn Nursery, and Level II Maternal Care facility.
Knapp Medical Center has been providing quality and compassionate healthcare to Mid-Valley residents for 60 years, since 1962. More than 300 physicians serve on the hospital’s medical staff. Knapp also serves as one of the largest employers in the Mid-Valley, employing more than 500 people. For more information, please call 956-968-8567 or visit www.KnappMed.org or www.FaceBook.com/KnappMedicalCenter/.