The American Heart Association (AHA) is pleased to announce that Bradley S. Chambers President, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and Senior Vice President, MedStar Health has been named chair of the 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk.
“You can actually save a life by participating in Heart Walk,” said Chambers—citing the urgency of the pandemic, and the data, challenges, and outcomes amid COVID-19 that left members of our communities impacted by cardiovascular diseases and stroke particularly vulnerable.
“You can make a difference in the lives of individuals and their family members afflicted with heart disease, who are at much higher risk,” said Chambers.
Together, with corporations and community leaders throughout the Greater Maryland area, the American Heart Association aims to raise $1,650,000 through the 2021 Heart Walk Campaign. To get involved, register your team at www.greatermarylandheartwalk.org.
Chambers said he is especially excited to lead the 2021 Heart Walk, as he sees the planned October 16, 2021 walk at Camden Yards as a chance for renewal.
“The Heart Walk fosters cardiovascular disease awareness, and this year I hope it will also be a community celebration of being able to take a walk together again,” said Chambers.
Chambers also said he feels as “president of a hospital that takes great pride in its work in cardiovascular care,” it is important for healthcare executives like him to lead by example, “energize” the cardiovascular team at MedStar Health by celebrating the work they do every day, and “rally behind” the shared chronic-disease prevention and population efforts mutually valued by MedStar Health and the American Heart Association.
“By leading the Heart Walk, you really can impact education, awareness, screening, and prevention,” said Chambers.
Chambers also has a personal connection to cardiovascular disease. He lost his mother, an uncle, and father-in-law as a result of cardiovascular complications. His leadership of the Heart Walk is close to his own family’s heart.
“I have seen the impact of cardiovascular disease on my family—multiple family members affected—some with fatal events caused by issues that were previously undetected. Detection and treatment are so important,” said Chambers.
About the Greater Maryland Heart Walk:
The Greater Maryland Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. This annual celebration of life promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living for the whole family. The 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk has a goal to raise $1,650,000 for the American Heart Association’s life-saving mission to build healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Walk is a non-competitive, two-mile or one-mile walk at Camden Yards Sports Complex and is open to both corporate and community teams as well as individuals.
In 2020, more than 3,000 digital participants in the Greater Maryland Region raised $1,420,000 in support of the American Heart Association. We reached 1.8 million people with key life-saving messages through social media.
Complete information can be found on www.greatermarylandheartwalk.org