American College of Cardiology NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award recognizes sustained, high level performance in quality of care
West Des Moines, Iowa (July 22, 2026) – UnityPoint Health – Meriter has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2026. Meriter is among 350 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.
These awards reflect UnityPoint Health’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care close to home for people experiencing a heart attack. Hospitals recognized have consistently met rigorous national standards based on American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association clinical guidelines.
“Meriter is honored to be recognized with the Gold Performance Award for our leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in heart attack care,” said Faye Collins, chief nursing officer at Meriter. “The receipt of this award indicates that our teams at Meriter are committed to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care.”
Meriter is one of 10 UnityPoint Health hospitals that received performance achievement awards from the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry for 2026.
“Every minute matters when someone is having a heart attack,” said Peter George, MD, FACC UnityPoint Health Chief Medical Officer for Cardiovascular Services. “This recognition reflects how our teams work together, from emergency care to recovery, to deliver fast and effective treatment that helps patients heal and return to their lives. From a system standpoint, these awards highlight our commitment to improving outcomes and increasing access to quality care across the communities we serve in Iowa and the Midwest.”
More than 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. Evidence-based care includes timely restoration of blood flow, appropriate medications, smoking cessation counseling and participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
The Chest Pain – MI Registry supports care teams in consistently applying the latest science-based treatment guidelines and helps establish a national benchmark for improving quality, safety and outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease.
More information on heart and vascular care at UnityPoint Health can be found on our website, www.unitypoint.org/find-a-service/heart-care.
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About UnityPoint Health
UnityPoint Health is one of the nation’s most integrated health systems, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across the Midwest. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health owns or operates more than 400 physician clinics, 18 regional and 17 community network hospitals, community mental health centers, urgent care/express care locations and home care facilities across our states. UnityPoint Health entities employ more than 31,000 team members who are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all those we serve. Find out more at unitypoint.org.
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.
