Contact:

Anthony Ercolano

Special Projects

(212) 801-1702

anthony.ercolano@downtownhospital.org

New York, NY – August 15, 2009 - New York Downtown Hospital has been recognized for its achievement in using evidence-based guidelines to provide the best possible care to patients through The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines”SM program. As a result of this recognition, the Hospital was featured in a July 28 supplement to the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of US News & World Report.

The “Get With The Guidelines” (GWTG) Silver Performance Achievement Award is presented to those hospitals that are at least 85 percent compliant with GWTG measures in coronary artery disease, stroke and/or heart failure treatment for 12 consecutive months. Currently more than 1,450 hospitals participate in the program.

Mr. Menkes, Hospital President and CEO, said, “We are pleased that the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recognized Downtown Hospital’s Stroke Center for its achievements in their ‘Get With The Guidelines’ program. This program gives our professionals the tools and reports to help in the treatment of our stroke patients.”

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. However, research has demonstrated that a timely and rigorous medical approach to stroke could substantially reduce morbidity. In November 2007, following a demanding process, Downtown Hospital was certified as a Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health. Fewer than half the hospitals in the state have qualified as stroke centers.