New leadership builds on strong volunteer commitment to improving health and saving lives
The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, today announced its Greater Washington Region Board of Directors leadership for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Comprised of volunteer leaders, the board advances the organization’s mission through fundraising and by addressing key community priorities, including access to healthy food, CPR education, hypertension management and achieving equitable health outcomes.
Vishal Tulsian, president of Peraton’s Health, State and Local Sector, will continue serving as board chair. He will partner with Monica Shah, M.D., FACC, chief medical officer at Nuevocor, who assumes the role of board president, succeeding Ameya Kulkarni, M.D., FSCAI, executive medical director at Kaiser Permanente.
Shah previously served as president-elect and leadership development chair and will now guide the board’s strategic direction and regional impact.
In addition, the organization announced the following leadership nominations and appointments:
- Yolandra Hancock, M.D., M.P.H., community physician and pediatrician, will continue as advocacy and partnerships chair.
- Erin Henderson Moore has been nominated as leadership development chair.
- Lauren Sipple, CPA, CGFM, managing director at KPMG LLP, has been re-elected to continue serving as giving society ambassador.
- Vicki Schmanske has been nominated as chair-elect.
- Yolandra Hancock, M.D., M.P.H., community physician and pediatrician, will continue as advocacy and partnerships chair.
“Our board members lead with passion and expertise that truly changes lives,” said Soula Antoniou, executive director, American Heart Association Greater Washington Region. “We are also especially thankful to Dr. Ameya Kulkarni for his leadership as president and for the care and dedication he has brought to advancing our mission and will continue to do so. Together, we look forward to building on our tremendous momentum and creating an even healthier future for our region.”
All current members will continue their service, reflecting strong continuity in leadership and commitment to advancing the organization’s work across the region.
In addition to those previously mentioned, returning board members include:
- Saira Aslam, M.D., M.H.A., FACC, FACHE — MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- Sabine Awad — Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Bryan O. Buckley, Dr.PH., M.P.H., M.B.A. — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Michael Kirshbaum — EAB
- Mike Policicchio — Ernst & Young LLP
- Monique Sanfuentes — Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Hassan A. Tetteh, M.D., M.B.A. — Vituity
- Rocky Thurston — DMI
- Sheila Woodhouse, M.D., M.B.A., FACC — Sentikon Technologies & Consulting LLC
With experienced leadership and continued board engagement, the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region is positioned to expand its impact, improving cardiovascular health and advancing equitable access to health across the community.