By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center celebrated 20 years as part of the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute Stroke Network.

According to a press release, this network serves 20 hospitals and was created to allow rural hospitals to provide the same urgent and quality of care by collaborating with a larger hospital.

Community Relations Coordinator Pam Meiner said this network has improved over the years and they were happy to celebrate.

“Every stroke is different, so quick and effective evaluation and then response to those diagnostic results is important. Twenty years of refining that response and working together and improving stroke care is a huge milestone – one that we were glad to celebrate,” Meiner said.

The hospital was honored with a celebration and a plaque on June 15.