Chief of Cardiology funding lifesaving research and supporting community health
NEW YORK, NY, November 17, 2025 – Dr. Jeffrey Bander, Chief of Cardiology at Mount Sinai West has been named the American Heart Association New York City 2025 Leaders of Impact™ Winner for his work supporting the Heart Association’s mission of creating a world of longer, healthier lives for all.
“Dr. Bander and all of our Leaders of Impact nominees have done incredible work over the last seven weeks in the fight for a healthier New York City,” said Michael Kruse, the Chairman of the American Heart Association’s New York City Board of Directors. “They have raised funds to support pioneering research that changes lives, spread awareness about the importance of Hands-Only CPR and advocated for health for everyone, everywhere. Their efforts support the American Heart Association’s work to save the lives of the people we love within our community and around the word.”
Led by Dr. Jeffrey Bander and his team at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, the Hypertension Prevention Program for First Responders tackles the high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease among firefighters and other first responders. By identifying those at risk and offering tailored, proactive interventions, the team helps participants manage stress-related cardiovascular risks and maintain long-term heart health.
Dr. Bander’s team is dedicated to protecting those who protect others—using real-time monitoring, preventive care, and compassionate support to keep first responders healthy and fit for duty.
“The fight against cardiovascular disease demands bold action. Through Leaders of Impact, we unite expertise and compassion to drive real change,” said Dr. Bander, who is also an Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Artificial Intelligence at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “We are working to ensure everyone everywhere in our community has the opportunity to live a long, healthy life, full of special times with their loved ones.”
In the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.,[1] the American Heart Association trains and certifies millions in CPR, equipping everyday people with the skills to save lives. Through relationships with food banks and community organizations, the Heart Association connects people with healthy food to improve the health of families at home. Research funded through the Heart Association has helped countless people survive heart disease and stroke, while supporting the next generation of scientific talent.
For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has driven change by supporting health and access to health care for all, investing in groundbreaking
research, educating health care professionals and patients and advocating for healthy policies.
Leaders of Impact launched on Sept. 18 in hundreds of cities across the nation and culminated on Nov. 5. Each nominee’s participation was focused on opportunities to be a changemaker with a shared purpose to raise critical awareness and fund the mission of the American Heart Association.
For more information about Leaders of Impact and a list of all the 2025 nominees, please visit leadersofimpact.heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Mark Hurley; mark.hurley@heart.org; 917-445-0207
Ella Beames; ella.beames@heart.org; 212-878-5910
[1] Heart and Stroke Association Statistics | American Heart Association