For Immediate Release

July 28, 2026

Midland Memorial Hospital Nationally Recognized for Its Role in Providing Quality Care for Severe Heart Attacks in West Texas Region

The American Heart Association awards Mission: Lifeline® Regional STEMI Recognition for proven dedication to ensuring access to best practices life-saving care.

Midland Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Regional Recognition award for its regional collaboration regarding the care for those experiencing the most severe heart attacks. The Mission: Lifeline Regional achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to work with their referring and receiving hospital partners, as well as EMS, to establish a system of care based on the most up-to-date research-based guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association.

Acute coronary syndrome remains a major cause of hospitalization in the United States. According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounts for approximately 30% of ACS presentations. STEMI is typically caused by acute, complete occlusion of a coronary artery. Rapid restoration of blood flow through mechanical means and/or clot-dissolving medication is essential to prevent death and permanent heart damage.

Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to enhance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive medical conditions, including severe heart attacks. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt heart attack interventions – from the initial 911 call and EMS transport through hospital treatment and discharge.

Delivering optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination across the entire care continuum, made up of individual hospitals, EMS agencies and the broader health care system. The American Heart Association recognizes Midland Memorial Hospital as a participant in the awarded Mission: Lifeline West Texas region (Participating Hospitals: Hendrick Medical Center, Hendrick Medical Center South, Midland Memorial Hospital, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, and Shannon Medical Center).

“Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals. Early condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life.” — Kacey Kronenfeld, M.D., FAEMS, Chair of the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Taskforce

“Midland Memorial Hospital is pleased to be part of the Mission: Lifeline West Texas region recognized for its achievements in cardiac care and collective dedication to our heart attack patients. Our goal is to continue to deliver the best care to each and every heart attack patient in our region.” — Stephen Bowerman, President and CEO of Midland Health