The American Heart Association (Association) has announced the launch of a new Stroke Coordinator Certification, designed to recognize advanced expertise in managing stroke programs and driving quality improvements in stroke care. This certification comes as stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report.
Certified stroke coordinators play a central role in ensuring healthcare systems reduce length of stay, lower in-hospital mortality, and decrease 30-day readmissions for individuals who have experienced a stroke, based on data from the Association's Get With The Guidelines® registry. The certification equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to lead interdisciplinary teams, implement evidence-based protocols, and leverage data for continuous improvement.
“Caring for patients who have experienced a stroke is a responsibility that impacts lives every day and requires strong clinical knowledge and leadership,” said Dena Brown, MBA, MSN, RN, SCRN, CMSRN, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association volunteer and Enterprise Stroke System Director at Cleveland Clinic. “Stroke coordinators ensure not only timely treatment, but also the highest quality of care across the continuum. This certification gives coordinators the tools and confidence to lead programs that improve outcomes, strengthen systems and expand awareness. It’s a game changer for professionals who want to make a real difference.”
The certification offers several benefits, including professional recognition of expertise in stroke program leadership and quality improvement, career development support for advancement into program leadership and quality roles within hospitals and stroke networks, and organizational impact through contributions to measurable improvements in patient care, system performance, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines.
This certification is the latest addition to the Certified Professional by the American Heart Association (CPAHA) science-based portfolio, which currently includes certifications in telehealth, telehealth stroke, tobacco treatment, and digital health in cardiac care. The Association aims to set the gold standard for individual professional credentials in healthcare.
“This certification is about more than professional recognition, it’s about empowering leaders in stroke care to make measurable improvements in patient outcomes,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., FAHA, volunteer member of the American Heart Association Center for Telehealth Expert Panel, American Stroke Association, senior vice president and chief digital health officer of Yale New Haven Health and associate dean of digital strategy and transformation at Yale School of Medicine. “By validating expertise in program development, clinical knowledge and quality improvement, we’re helping healthcare professionals elevate the standard of care for stroke patients everywhere.”
Candidates for the certification must have at least two years of experience as a stroke coordinator, dedicating 50% or more of their time to stroke program responsibilities. Enrollment is open through the Association's Professional Education Hub. The certification process includes evidence-based online education, a live remote-proctored assessment, and credentialing valid for three years.
The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is dedicated to reducing death and disability from stroke through stroke-specific research, systems of care, public education, and support for survivors and caregivers. The introduction of this certification underscores the ongoing commitment to improving stroke care and outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
