The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, is pleased to announce that Robert H. Schwengel, MD, FACC of Southcoast Health, has been appointed President of the Association’s Board of Directors in Southern New England.
Serving for several years on the Southern New England American Heart Association Board of Directors, Dr. Robert H. Schwengel of Southcoast Health, has been instrumental in the Association’s local influence towards funding cutting-edge research and promoting quality systems of care. Dr. Schwengel works tirelessly with his clinical team at the Southcoast Health Cardiovascular Care Center in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island to improve the cardiovascular health and well-being of their patients and communities. His devotion to research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement is evident through his day to day clinical practice and leadership.
“It is a great honor to be chosen as President of the American Heart Association ‘s Board of Directors in Southern New England,” said Dr. Schwengel. “I am passionate about helping the American Heart Association continue to raise awareness about cardiovascular and neurovascular health and reduce the health disparities that exist in our communities. I thank my fellow volunteers and Board Members for this opportunity.”
Dr. Schwengel has served on the Southern New England American Heart Association Board of Directors for several years. His contributions volunteering in a leadership capacity for the Association also include serving from 2014-2016 on the Southern New England Heart Ball Executive Leadership Team and, with his wife Betsy, as the Medical Co-Chairs of the 2016 Southern New England Heart Ball.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the American Heart Association and Dr. Robert Schwengel’s unwavering commitment, time and compassion inspires endless possibilities to further our mission in Southern New England,” shared Alissa Memoli, Regional Vice President of the Southern New England American Heart Association. “During these unprecedented times, the work of the Association is more important than ever, and we are honored to have him at the helm as we pioneer innovative solutions to build a world of healthier and longer lives.”
Dr. Schwengel has been in the practice of Cardiovascular Medicine with Cardiovascular Associates of Rhode Island since 1993 and Southcoast Health since 2013. Board certified in Cardiovascular Medicine, adult echocardiography and stress echocardiography, he has special interests in cardiac disease prevention, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and valvular heart disease. Dr. Schwengel graduated Cum Laude from Bucknell University in 1983. He received his Doctor of Medicine (’87) and completed his residency (’90) in Internal Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science in Washington, DC and completed his fellowship (’93) in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. His primary area of practice is in Southeastern Rhode Island, with clinical appointments at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, MA, Newport Hospital in Newport RI, and The Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. After arriving to Rhode Island in 1993, he and his wife Betsy lived in Barrington, RI for over 20 years, and currently reside in Bristol, RI.
Southcoast Health is a proud local sponsor of several of the Southern New England American Heart Association’s events.