BHB Primary Stroke Centre achieves Accreditation Canada distinction certification
Tuesday 21 July 2026: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is pleased to announce that its Primary Stroke Centre, part of a clinical affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International (JHMI), has received Stroke Distinction certification from Accreditation Canada for its Acute Stroke Services and its Inpatient Rehabilitation Services standards for a second four-year term.
A letter from Accreditation Canada announcing the news reads: “Achieving Distinction indicates that your organization has demonstrated national leadership in the provision of high-quality stroke care. We applaud your success and urge you to celebrate this achievement.”
Accreditation Canada surveyors interviewed Bermuda Hospitals Board staff, stroke patients, their families and organisations BHB partner with earlier from 22-24 June 2026. In their final report they said the stroke teams had done “an incredible amount of work” in developing the programme and implementing stroke best practices, in a relatively short time.
“We are elated that we’ve received the Stroke Distinction Award,” said BHB Acting CEO and Chief of Nursing Judy Richardson. “Our Stroke programme is a top priority at BHB as we recognise stroke is an epidemic on the island.
“Our teams work around-the-clock ensuring the highest standards of care to our patients,” She added. “We met 100 percent of the criteria set by Accreditation Canada, a feat which reflects the world-class expertise of our staff and the services we provide.”
Ms Richardson continued: “Stroke distinction certification is the highest commendation a Stroke Centre can receive in the Accreditation Canada system and aligns with BHB’s vision to pursue excellence through improvement, to make Bermuda proud.”
BHB Stroke Medical Director Dr Srinath Meadipudi said: “This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our exceptional multidisciplinary stroke teams who work tirelessly to deliver the best outcomes for our patients.”
“It has been our pleasure to work with BHB in developing the Stroke Centre. We are proud of this collaboration and of BHB’s achievement in being recertified as a Primary Stroke Centre with Distinction,” said Victor C Urrutia, MD, Director of The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center and director of The Johns Hopkins Global Center for Organised Stroke Care. “This recognition shows BHB’s strong commitment to providing high-quality stroke care. Their dedicated team continues to work together using proven standards and best practices, helping to ensure patients across Bermuda receive the care they need when every minute counts.”
The Accreditation Canada Stroke Distinction letter and the Stroke Distinction Report are available on BHB’s website bermudahospitals.bm.
Stroke Centre History
In 2018 BHB recognising that stroke had become an epidemic on the island, took steps to address the problem. In July 2019, BHB launched its Primary Stroke Centre, part of a clinical affiliation with JHMI. Since that time, stroke patient outcomes have significantly improved. A more clearly defined process in managing stroke patients together with a robust national campaign highlighting the signs and symptoms of stroke, BE FAST, and the importance of attending the hospital immediately, have led to the success.
Photo: BHB stroke team leaders with the Accreditation Canada surveyors after the final briefing on 24 June 2026
Nurse Jerry De La Cruz spoke at the virtual conference, which included more than 700 professionals in the field of geriatrics from around the world. His 
