Tyler, Texas (August 10, 2026) — UT Health Tyler has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for people with heart failure, including shortening hospital stays and increasing healthy days at home.
About 6.7 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure, a number that is expected to rise to more than 8.7 million by 2030, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Despite the name, heart failure doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working — it means the heart is struggling to pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body. While there is no cure, many people with heart failure can live a quality life by working closely with their healthcare team on a treatment plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.
The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure quality achievement award recognizes hospitals that consistently demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most current, evidence-based guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, supporting care teams in delivering guideline-directed care. The program is designed to shorten hospital stays and increase healthy days at home.
“UT Health Tyler is committed to delivering high-quality care by following the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines,” said UT Health Tyler CEO Zach Dietze. “Get With The Guidelines helps our care teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping more people in East Texas live longer, healthier lives.”
This recognition is also a testament to the commitment of UT Health’s Advanced Heart Failure Program, the first program of its kind in East Texas, led by Detlef Wencker, M.D., Director of Advanced Heart Failure and Medical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. Under Dr. Wencker’s leadership, the program has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to implementing guideline-directed medical therapy, advancing specialized heart failure care, and supporting patients throughout every stage of their treatment journey. This focus on evidence-based care and multidisciplinary collaboration has helped strengthen the health system’s efforts to improve outcomes for heart failure patients across the region.
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for award recognition by demonstrating sustained performance in delivering quality care for patients with heart failure. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants provide patients with education and tools to help them manage their condition at home.
“We are proud to recognize the leadership and dedicated care teams at UT Health Tyler for their strong commitment to improving care for people living with heart failure,” said Sabra Lewsey, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Heart Failure System of Care Advisory Group. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure, a 20-year flagship quality improvement program, often achieve better patient outcomes, including fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — benefiting patients, families, communities and healthcare systems alike.”
UT Health Tyler is also recognized with the American Heart Association’s Target: Heart Failure Optimal. Hospitals receiving this award meet specific criteria that improve medication adherence, provide early follow-up care and coordination, and enhance patient education. Receiving the Optimal designation means a hospital has performed 50% or better for defect-free care. The goal is to further reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life.
UT Health Tyler additionally received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.