Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Earns Re-Certification From DNV as Primary Stroke Center
Albany, GA | August 21, 2025 – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH) has received re-certification from DNV as a Primary Stroke Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle a full range of stroke-related medical emergencies.
“This certification lets our community know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care. It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel, and training to quickly assess and treat strokes. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the rare instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities,” said Jason Smith, MD, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer.
The DNV Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, confirming that PPMH provides comprehensive stroke care from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and education while maintaining clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.
“Achieving certification shows commitment to excellence,” said Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the U.S., with nearly 130,000 lives lost each year. Rapid and effective treatment is critical, and PPMH’s certification ensures patients receive timely, high-quality care when it matters most.
“This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication and collaborative effort of our entire stroke team to continuously elevate the quality of our stroke program. Our goal is not only to deliver exceptional care to every stroke patient, but also to expand support for stroke survivors and raise awareness in our community about stroke risk factors and warning signs. Our commitment is not just to care, but to excellence in every step of the stroke journey,” said Regina Barnes, RN, PPMH Stroke Coordinator. “We encourage everyone to remember the BE FAST acronym and seek emergency care immediately if they experience any symptoms.”
BE FAST is a helpful way to remember signs of a stroke. Each letter represents a stroke symptom.
• Balance – Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
• Eyes – Blurry vision or losing sight in one or both eyes.
• Face – Drooping facial features on one side of the face.
• Arms – Weakness in an arm. If you raise your arms and one of them drifts down, that’s a concern.
• Speech – Slurring words or having difficulty speaking.
• Terrible headache
Earlier this year, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and Phoebe Worth Medical Center were redesignated by the Georgia Department of Public Health as Remote Stroke Centers, further strengthening the Phoebe system’s commitment to stroke care across Southwest Georgia.
About DNV
DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions.
Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.
DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.
For more information about DNV, visit www.dnv.us/supplychain/healthcare/