The American Heart Association has introduced a new Stroke Coordinator Certification designed to recognize advanced expertise in managing stroke programs, ensuring adherence to clinical standards and driving quality improvements in stroke care. Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report, highlighting the critical need for coordinated, evidence-based care across hospitals and health systems.
The certification, part of the Association’s Certified Professional by the American Heart Association (CPAHA) portfolio, focuses on equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to lead interdisciplinary teams, implement evidence-based protocols, and leverage data for continuous improvement. Certified stroke coordinators play a central role in reducing length of stay, lowering in-hospital mortality, and decreasing 30-day readmissions for stroke patients, based on data from the Association’s Get With The Guidelines® registry.
“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 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.”
The certification offers several benefits, including professional recognition of expertise in stroke program leadership and quality improvement, career development opportunities for advancement into leadership roles, and organizational impact through measurable improvements in patient care and adherence to evidence-based guidelines. It joins other CPAHA certifications in telehealth, telehealth stroke, tobacco treatment, and digital health in cardiac care, setting a 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 and senior vice president and chief digital health officer of Yale New Haven Health. “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 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 Heart Association, is dedicated to reducing death and disability from stroke through research, systems of care, public education, and support for survivors and caregivers. This new certification underscores the ongoing commitment to improving stroke care outcomes across the nation.
