Cartagena, the first city in the Colombian Caribbean region with an Advanced Stroke Center
Hospital Serena del Mar, operated by Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, has been internationally certified as an Advanced Stroke Center by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and the Ibero-American Society of Cerebrovascular Disease (SIECV), as part of the Certification Program for Stroke Centers in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Advanced Center certification validates the implementation of excellent clinical practices, compliance with high international standards of quality and safety, and the positive impact on community health. It also recognizes the commitment, effort, and dedication of the Hospital’s multidisciplinary team in providing comprehensive, timely, humanized care based on scientific evidence.
“This distinction is a source of great pride for our institution, as it endorses our excellence and superior clinical outcomes, and marks an important milestone in the care of high-complexity emergencies in Cartagena and the Caribbean region. Our hospital has a specialized team available 24 hours a day to provide a timely and effective response to stroke—one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in Colombia and worldwide,” said Dr. Olga Lucía Méndez, Director of Hospital Serena del Mar.
Regional and International Impact
This recognition strengthens Cartagena de Indias as a national benchmark in high-complexity neurological care, making it the first city in the Caribbean region with a hospital certified as an Advanced Stroke Center.
According to Dr. Manuel García, neurologist and leader of the hospital’s Stroke Program:
“Our comprehensive care pathway, combined with the rapid and timely activation of the Stroke Code, allows us to achieve an accurate diagnosis in under 60 minutes from the moment the patient arrives. This process begins in the emergency department and immediately activates the multidisciplinary team—emergency physicians, neurologists, physiatrists, and other specialized professionals—ensuring early interventions and better clinical outcomes.”
From Gold to Diamond: A New International Achievement
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, Hospital Serena del Mar was also honored at the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Awards, through the Global Angels initiative, with the Diamond category—the highest distinction granted to hospitals for excellence in stroke care.
This achievement, which elevates the institution from the Gold category obtained last year, reflects its ongoing evolution, the effectiveness of its clinical protocols, and the responsiveness of its multidisciplinary team in neurological emergencies.
Committed to the Health of the Region
These recognitions endorse the hospital’s strong clinical practices, care excellence, and ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in patient care.
They reflect the coordinated work of a highly qualified team and state-of-the-art technology to provide safe, timely, and comprehensive care to patients and their families. They also reinforce the recent certification awarded by Newsweek and Statista, which ranks Hospital Serena del Mar as the #1 hospital in Cartagena and the Caribbean Region.
