Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has been awarded Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification by The Joint Commission, marking the highest level of stroke care available internationally.
The prestigious “Gold Seal of Approval®” signifies that the Camden-based hospital is equipped to treat the most complex and severe stroke cases, placing it among an elite group of medical facilities nationwide.
CSC certification is reserved for hospitals that demonstrate specialized infrastructure and clinical expertise across the entire continuum of stroke care. This includes the ability to perform thrombectomies—minimally invasive procedures to remove blood clots from the brain—which are critical for treating large-vessel ischemic strokes, the most common form of the condition.
“Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is the most demanding stroke certification,” Lisa Ferraro, senior vice president of Virtua Health and President of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes said. “It reflects our commitment to safe, high-quality care for every patient.”
In addition to standard stroke care, the hospital met rigorous standards for treating life-threatening brain aneurysms and hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain). The facility’s capabilities are anchored by the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Neurosciences Program, which brings world-class neurological research and treatment directly to South Jersey.
Key features of the certified program include:
- 24/7 Availability: A round-the-clock team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neurointerventionalists.
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit: A dedicated unit for recovery from brain-related emergencies.
- Advanced Techniques: The use of microsurgery and state-of-the-art imaging to stop bleeding or open blocked arteries.
“The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health neurovascular team uses state-of-the-art techniques to treat stroke and minimize long-lasting damage,” Dr. Melissa Bailey, medical director of the hospital’s stroke program and a Penn Medicine neurologist said.
The shift to national certification follows a change in New Jersey state law, which now requires stroke centers to be accredited by national bodies like The Joint Commission rather than solely by the state. Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes previously held state-level advanced certification and successfully navigated a rigorous onsite review and data collection process to meet these new, evidence-based national standards.
The Joint Commission partnered with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to develop these benchmarks, ensuring that CSC-certified hospitals like Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes provide the most effective, science-backed interventions for stroke victims.
This certification further solidifies Virtua’s reputation as a regional leader in neurosciences, following recent recognition in Becker’s Hospital Review and its ongoing partnership with Penn Medicine neurosurgeons for advanced brain and vascular surgery.
