Independence Health System Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients

BUTLER, Pa., Aug. 25, 2025 — Independence Health System’s Butler Memorial Hospital has once again received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2025, further demonstrating its exemplary cardiovascular program. This marks the ninth time in the past decade that the hospital has participated in the registry and been recognized with this prestigious award. Butler Memorial Hospital is one of only 323 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes Independence Health System’s Butler Memorial Hospital for its commitment to and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. It signifies that the hospital has achieved an aggressive goal of treating these patients according to the standard levels of care as outlined in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. 

Recognition is based on sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶   MI Registry over two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), as well as adherence to specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process, using data to drive improvements in guideline adherence and the overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

“It is an honor to award Butler Memorial Hospital with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “The receipt of this award indicates thatButler Memorial Hospital remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling, and cardiac rehabilitation, among other measures.

“We are honored to once again be recognized among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for heart attack care,” said Dr. Richard Begg, MD, FACC, FSCAI, medical director of cardiovascular services at Butler Memorial Hospital. “This continued recognition reflects the unwavering commitment of our entire heart team — from early patient response and EMS transport to emergency treatment, catheterization procedures and recovery care. It’s a true testament to the consistent, high-quality cardiovascular care we deliver year after year at Independence Health System.”

Independence Health System offers a comprehensive cardiovascular program — from medical management by noninvasive cardiologists to advanced procedures by interventional cardiologists and robotic-assisted surgeries performed by cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeons. The programs have earned national recognition from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and U.S. News & World Report, reflecting a commitment to clinical excellence, shorter recovery times and reduced risk of complications.

-30-

About Independence Health System:

Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health

About the American College of Cardiology:

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or follow @ACCinTouch.