Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center Nationally Recognized for High-Quality AFib Care

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center has received the American Heart

Association’s Get With The Guidelines®

- AFib Gold quality achievement award for its commitment to managing atrial

fibrillation (AFib), ultimately helping to reduce patients’ stroke risk.

This is the fifth consecutive year Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center has achieved the award.

AFib affects five million Americans, often leading to heart-related complications as well as increasing the risk for stroke

fivefold. Stroke is the number five cause of death in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40

seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. However, proper care and treatment can

reduce stroke risks.

The Get With The Guidelines - AFib Gold quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a

commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines as outlined by the American

Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke

Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-

based guidelines.

“AFib patients can trust that Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center is a leader in implementing the latest research

and treatments, improving patient outcomes and helping patients live their best lives,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief

Medical Officer Dr. Patrice Walker. “Last year, we became the first hospital in Georgia to offer FARAPULSE with Opal for

Pulsed Field Ablation, a treatment for AFib that minimizes risk and targets areas of the heart associated with abnormal

heart rhythms. This year, Georgia’s first FARAVIEW Opal mapping procedure was performed at our hospital, utilizing

software that gives surgeons the option to ablate and map during ablation therapy. We’re committed to ensuring patients

can receive high-quality health care right here, close to home.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing

quality AFib care. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients

to help them manage their AFib at home.

To find a doctor, visit www.NavicentHealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”