WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Heart Association (AHA), celebrating a century of profound impact on heart health and well-being, has announced new leadership and changes to its Greater Washington Region (GWR) Board of Directors. Ameya Kulkarni, M.D., FSCAI, associate medical director at Kaiser Permanente, will serve a two-year term as president of the GWR Board of Directors, that began on July 1, 2024.
A long-standing and passionate supporter of the AHA, Kulkarni will lead efforts to advance the organization’s mission of creating healthier outcomes throughout the region. Kulkarni has previously served as co-chair for the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk for two years, in addition to his board service. As a cardiologist, he understands the impact of social determinants on heart health and strongly advocates for promoting health and wellness through healthy eating, active living, and CPR training. In partnership with Board Chair and Greater Washington Market Leader for Deloitte, Amry Junaideen, Kulkarni will address important community issues, including increasing access to affordable and healthy food, expanding CPR education and emergency plans, addressing hypertension, and ensuring residents live in a healthy environment that supports physical and mental well-being.
Monica Shah, M.D., FACC, chief medical officer at Clinical Trials & Consulting (CTI), has been named as the leadership development chair, and Vishal Tulsian, anadvisor for TriLevel Communications, has been named chair-elect. Yolandra Hancock, M.D., MPH, a community physician and pediatrician remains as chair of the Advocacy Committee.
A heartfelt thank you goes to immediate past president Kelly-Epps-Anderson, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at INOVA Heart & Vascular Institute, for her leadership and dedication to reducing health disparities, improving access to care, and promoting blood pressure education. Epps-Anderson will continue her service as immediate-past president on the board. The AHA also expresses gratitude for the contributions of departing member Owen Billman, president of Blake Real Estate. Billman, who has a long history of service to the organization, will chair the 2024 Greater Washington Region Heart Walk. He previously served as chair of the Board of Directors from 2020-2022 and is the past leadership development chair. Billman led the 2019 Heart Walk, raising a record $2.3 million. The board also bids a fond farewell to Mac Curtis, chairman of the Board for Cubic Corporation, for completing his board term. Curtis served for four years and chaired the Heart Walk in 2015 and the Heart Ball in 2020. John Harrity, co-founder of Harrity and Harrity LLP has also finished his term on the Board of Directors. Harrity has served for two years and has been the co-chair for the AHA’s Lawyers Have Heart for the last 4 years.
The AHA welcomes incoming board members:
- Vicki Schmanske, President, Commercial & International Sector, Leidos
- Hassan A. Tetteh, M.D., MBA, Thoracic Surgeon and CEO, Human Care Technologies
They join the following board members who continue their service:
- Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, MBA, Head of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Erin Henderson Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Centene Corporation/Wellcare
- Michael Kirshbaum, Chief Financial Officer, EAB
- Carmen C. Ramirez, Ph.D., RN, Executive Director, Community Capital Corporation
- Monique Sanfuentes, Administrative Director, Community Affairs and Population Health, Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Lauren Sipple, CPA, CGFM, Senior Audit Manager, KPMG, LLP
To learn more about the work of the board of directors, the impact of the organization, and how to get involved, visit www.heart.org/dc.