Memorial Hospital Gulfport awarded Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Program Certification from The Joint Commission
GULFPORT, Miss. – February 3, 2026 – Memorial Hospital Gulfport has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Program Certification.
Memorial Hospital Gulfport underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on December 17 and 18 in 2025. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center related standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Program Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Memorial Hospital Gulfport for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
“We congratulate Memorial Hospital Gulfport for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”
“Achieving Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Certification is a powerful affirmation of the work our team has put into building a program that delivers rapid, evidence based stroke care,” shares Memorial Health System Neurologist and Stroke Program Director Dr. Lee Voulters. “Treating large vessel occlusions requires precision, coordination, and constant readiness, and this certification reflects our commitment to meeting that standard. Most importantly, it represents better outcomes for the patients and families who trust us in their most critical moments.”
Memorial Health System Stroke Program Manager Candace Mittlesdorf, RN, MSN, CCRN, SCRN, shares, “We are so excited to be able to provide this service to our community! This allows our hospital to treat large vessel occlusion strokes which may lead to devastating disabilities. Our goal is to treat these types of strokes quickly and improve patient outcomes.”
Memorial’s stroke program started treating thrombectomy procedures 24/7 in February 2024. The program has served many community members since that time. Memorial Hospital Gulfport began the preparation for becoming a thrombectomy capable facility, which included patient monitoring, quality improvement efforts, and a guideline-based approach.
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
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ABOUT MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM
Memorial Health System has been serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1946. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, Memorial is a not-for-profit public community hospital organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and is jointly owned by the City of Gulfport and Harrison County. Memorial Health System includes three hospitals (Gulfport, Biloxi, and Stone County) licensed for 481 beds, a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, two nursing centers, outpatient surgery centers, satellite outpatient diagnostic and rehabilitation centers, and more than 100 Memorial Physician Clinics. Memorial offers several of the region’s most comprehensive clinical programs and medical specialties unique to the area, including a Level III Neonatal ICU and Mississippi’s first nationally certified Primary Stroke Center. Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission, a Baby-Friendly Designated hospital, and is a member of the Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative. Visit wearememorial.com to learn more.