News

Contact: Amy Blaser

For Immediate Release

(COLUMBUS, Neb.) – Columbus Community Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of
Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Hospital
(ASRH) Certification.

This recognition honors hospitals that meet high national standards for rapid, evidence-based stroke
care. As an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital, CCH provides immediate treatment and stabilization for stroke
patients close to home — when every second counts.

To achieve certification, CCH underwent a rigorous, on-site review from The Joint Commission.
Reviewers evaluated the hospital’s performance in areas such as program management, patient
education and coordination of care.

“Earning The Joint Commission’s certification underscores our commitment to clinical excellence and
patient safety,” said Mike Hansen, president and CEO at CCH. “This recognition is a testament to the
dedication and expertise of our skilled team. I want to personally thank Natalie Sprunk (the hospital’s
stroke service line coordinator) and Sue Deyke (the emergency department director) for their leadership
and diligence in ensuring our successful certification.”

For the hospital’s care teams, the certification represents years of work to strengthen protocols,
enhance emergency response and build partnerships that improve access to high-quality stroke care
throughout the region.

“This certification is the result of years of dedication, perseverance and teamwork,” said Dr. Mark
Howerter, the hospital’s chief medical officer. “Our team has worked tirelessly to improve patient
outcomes and ensure our community can receive excellent stroke care without leaving the area.”

Tawny Sandifer, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer,
added that the recognition reflects the collaborative spirit across departments. “Every team member,
from emergency to rehabilitative care, plays a vital role in this achievement,” she said. “Their
compassion, urgency and precision make a lifesaving difference every day.”

Sprunk emphasized the importance of community awareness. “Our goal is not only to deliver excellent
in-hospital stroke care, but to help people recognize the early signs of stroke and respond without
delay,” she said. “Time is brain. By strengthening our response capabilities and promoting public
education, CCH is helping to improve outcomes for patients throughout our community.”

According to The Joint Commission, Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification recognizes hospitals that
demonstrate excellence in early stroke recognition and treatment, team coordination and performance
improvement.

For more information about The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification, visit
jointcommission.org.

To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital, visit https://www.columbushosp.org/.