Two new members added with long-term board members recognized for their contributions
The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, announces new leadership and board members to its Connecticut Board of Directors. Hardik Amin, MD, Hartford HealthCare, co-director, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Hartford Hospital, began serving a two-year term as president of the Connecticut board of directors on July 1, 2025.
As a current board member and passionate supporter of the Association, Dr. Amin will provide counsel and guidance to advance the organization’s mission to create healthier outcomes in Connecticut. In partnership with the Board Chair Francine LoRusso, Dr. Amin will work to address important issues facing the Connecticut community, including tackling the youth vaping epidemic; increasing access to affordable and healthy food; addressing hypertension; and ensuring residents live in a healthy environment that supports physical and mental well-being. LoRusso is senior vice president, Heart and Vascular Services, Medicine Services, Radiology Services, Yale New Haven Health.
In addition, the Association welcomes two new members to its Connecticut board of directors:
– Shailendra Upadhyay, MD, MBA, is the Division Head and co-director of the cardiovascular institute at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Dr. Upadhyay works in the field of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiology, holding board certifications in five specialties, including internal medicine, pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, electrophysiology, and ACHD. His clinical interests span ACHD, pulmonary hypertension, pregnancy in congenital heart disease, and complex heart rhythm disorders. Dr. Upadhyay serves on the medical advisory board for the Adult Congenital Heart Association and is active in clinical research related to adult congenital heart disease and heart rhythm disorders.
– Caroline Wilke, vice president, Human Resources at CVS Health
During her 19-year career with CVS Health, Caroline Wilke has led HR Centers of Excellence, HR Business Partner Teams and Enterprise Initiatives. In previous roles at Aetna/CVS Health, she led Human Resources Transformation, Employee Relations, University Relations and multiple human resources business partner teams. Prior to Aetna/CVS Health, Caroline led human resources teams at Brooks Brothers, Sam Adams Beer Company, Send.com and Crabtree & Evelyn.
Wilke graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Religious Studies, with a concentration in Women’s Studies. She is a member of the executive leadership team of Hartford Go Red for Women, the PRIDE colleague resource group and the Connecticut Women’s Council.
Current members serving on the Connecticut board include:
– Maureen Boyle – (Cor Vitae Society Ambassador)
– Mark Brevard, director, Multicultural Community Outreach, NE Donor Services
– Katy Carrillo, IT director, Tools Commercial North America, Stanley Black & Decker
– Rachel Forman, MD, neurologist, Yale New Haven Health; assistant professor, Neurology, Yale School of Medicine
– Lou Gianquinto, president, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Connecticut
– Russ Mills, CFO, Unger Enterprises – (Leadership Development Chair)
– Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Phd superintendent, Hartford Public Schools
– Haley Sofiane, chief operating officer, CareCentrix
– Ayanna Walker, Phd, associate dean, College of Health, and Human Services, Southern Connecticut State University
– Wheatley Wentzell, senior vice president, Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford HealthCare
Two long-term Connecticut Board members were recently recognized for their years of service to the Association. Seth Lapuk, MD, director, School of Pediatric Cardiac Ultrasound, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Robert Elder, MD, Director of Yale New Haven Health Heart and Vascular Center’s Adult Congenital Heart Program, and associate professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) and Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, were honored at a Connecticut Board of Directors June meeting.
Dr. Lapuk began his involvement with the American Heart Association as a member of the Founder’s Affiliate board of directors. A longtime board member, he served as president from 2013-2016. He also led the Greater Hartford Heart Walk as event chair and served as a member of the Advocacy Committee, met with legislators and provided testimony. In 2023, Dr. Lapuk received the American Heart Association Leadership Legacy Award, which recognizes current and alumni volunteers for exceptional service and contributions. He was instrumental in helping to create and support Little Heart Hero Day events which took place from 2011-2020 and engaged children with congenital heart defects and their families.
Since 2019, Dr. Elder has been a member of the Connecticut board of directors and has served in various leadership roles throughout his tenure, including as a member of the Communications Committee, Greater New Haven executive leadership team member and most recently as Board president (2023-2025). As a New Haven Heart Walk Team Captain, he led his Team, “Young at Heart,” as a top fundraising team. Dr. Elder served as an advocate and a volunteer assisting to support events, meetings and other activities to benefit the work of the American Heart Association.
For more information on the American Heart Association in Connecticut, visit www.heart.org/connecticut.