When Brian Drouin joined the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region team in March 2026 to lead the Lawyers Have Heart event, it marked a full-circle moment in his heart journey.
Brian was born with d-Transposition of the Great Arteries; as a newborn, he had an arterial switch operation, the first step in a lifelong journey navigating congenital heart disease. Throughout his childhood, he needed additional surgeries and placement of stents to keep his heart pumping healthily.
Growing up, Brian took extra precautions to keep his heart safe, needing extra chest protection while playing sports and having to sit out of higher intensity exercises during physical education classes. But when the American Heart Association brought the Jump Rope for Heart movement (now known as the Kids Heart Challenge) to his school, he had a chance to participate and support a mission that was personal to him and his family.
Brian’s heart health has been a lifelong family affair. His mom is a registered nurse who rarely showed fear despite the many surgeries Brian needed in his earliest years. She brought critical knowledge, clarity and perspective to the various medical processes that kept his heart healthy – and made sure Brian knew what a privilege it was to have high-quality care. Brian’s younger brother stayed overnight in the hospital with him, reminding him of the video games that awaited him on the other side of surgeries and procedures. Brian’s heart condition strengthened his bond with his grandfather, who was going through his own heart journey and needing stents placed.
A couple years before his children were born, Brian needed a bypass surgery. Three decades after that first arterial switch operation, the technologies and treatments for heart disease advanced significantly. This time, a robot assisted his heart surgeon to ensure precision throughout the procedure. And instead of video games, Brian was motivated by Pepe’s Pizza as a post-operation celebration.
Today, with medication to stabilize his heart rate and healthy habits in full effect, Brian’s outlook is bright. He runs and cycles regularly and lives largely without restrictions.
“Just because I was born with a heart condition, it doesn’t mean I can’t do anything I set my mind to,” Brian said. “But it has shown me that every day is a gift.”
While awaiting the births of their two children, a 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, Brian made sure both were screened in utero for congenital heart defects.
Brian’s kids are his biggest supporters, telling him his scars make him look like a hero. And being a father gives Brian even more motivation to stay healthy and take his heart health seriously.
On May 16, Brian will bring together his passion for heart health and his background working with lawyers and business leaders as the Senior Development Director behind the Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 5K and Fun Walk, which he has previously participated in. He is passionate about the message behind the event, which is relevant to the legal community and beyond: mental health and physical health are connected, and habits like walking and running can improve both.
You can join Brian and the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region at the 36th annual Lawyers Have Heart, happening on May 16, 2026 at West Potomac Park. Learn more and register here.
