The American Heart Association (AHA) Eastern States Region celebrates five outstanding 2024 Volunteer Award Winners. These awards honor individuals and companies for their unwavering commitment and dedication to our cause. This year, the Greater Washington Region is thrilled to celebrate five outstanding awardees.
“We are thrilled to honor these outstanding volunteers and organizations,” said Amry Junaideen, chair of the AHA’s Greater Washington Region Board of Directors. “Their support is vital to our mission of saving and improving lives in our community and around the world and I am grateful for their service.”
Corporate Leadership Award
The Corporate Leadership Award goes to companies that have shown exceptional support for the AHA’s mission through fundraising, education, volunteer leadership, and employee engagement over five years or more. This year, Leidos was honored for their decade-long support. Since 2014, Leidos has been a major supporter of the Heart Walk raising over $810,000. Their signature purple has become a symbol of unity and community, and this year they had 31 teams and 361 walkers. Key leaders like Vicki Schmanske and Jeff Bosick have played crucial roles in their efforts.
Health Equity Leadership Award
The Health Equity Leadership Award recognizes volunteers who advance health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Jude Mabone was honored for her remarkable leadership and advocacy. At just 16, Jude experienced her first heart attack, which ignited her passion for helping others. As Miss America DC 2023, she championed the AHA, sharing her story at every opportunity. Jude became the top fundraiser in the inaugural 2023 Leaders of Impact campaign, participated in numerous media interviews and speaking engagements, and testified before the DC government for Cardiac Emergency Response plans. She was also the keynote speaker for AHA’s Alaska Fairbanks Go Red luncheon and will head to Anchorage as their Go Red keynote in 2025. Jude continues her advocacy work while studying at the University of Michigan.
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to those who have made significant recent contributions to the region’s success. This year, Kaiser Permanente’s Cynthia Cifuentes and Dr. Ameya Kulkarni were honored for their leadership and dedication. They co-chaired the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk in 2022 and 2023, with Cynthia also leading the event in 2021. Kaiser Permanente has donated over $890,000 over the past five years. Cynthia and Ameya have been active in media outreach, with Cynthia participating in both English and Spanish-language interviews. As a cardiologist, Ameya has contributed to community conversations hosted by the AHA and Kaiser Permanente, along with countless interviews and CPR training events.
Leadership Legacy Award
The Leadership Legacy Award honors exceptional long-term service to the AHA’s mission. Andrea Wongsam was recognized for her unwavering dedication since 2009. Andrea began sharing her inspiring story with the AHA, quickly becoming a beacon of hope and resilience. She was chosen as a National Go Red spokesperson, using her platform to passionately advocate for women’s cardiovascular health. Her commitment is evident through her powerful speeches at events, engaging in numerous media interviews, participation in the annual Heart Walk with her team, “I’ve Got Rhythm,” and her volunteer efforts at many AHA events. In 2024, Wongsam was the top fundraiser for the GWR Woman of Impact Campaign. She was also a keynote speaker at Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction where she helped raise over $150,000 her story brought the crowd to their feet.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees and look forward to their continued partnership in the fight against heart disease.
Learn more about our work and how to get involved at: www.heart.org/dc.