The new tower provided SJCH with the resources to offer new services previously unavailable in Kern County. These services include opening the first Nationally Certified Stroke Center in the county in May 2008. To earn this distinction, SJCH's Stroke Center underwent an extensive, on-site evaluation by a team of The Joint Commission reviewers. The program was evaluated against The Joint Commission standards through an assessment of the program's processes, ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.
