Through the American Heart Association’s Heart of the Capital Region campaign, Steven Hanks, M.D., volunteer chair and president and CEO at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany and St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in the Capital Region has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. Heart of the Capital Region engages companies, community leaders and individuals to make a lasting impact across the Four Chambers of the American Heart Association’s work: discovery, advocacy, access and knowledge.
In particular, the 2026 Heart of the Capital Region is focusing on reducing high blood pressure for Capital Region residents. Known as “the silent killer,” high blood pressure – also called hypertension – often has no symptoms but is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
The campaign will come together at the Capital Region Heart Ball, celebrating hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. Having helped both his father and father-in-law through their own battles with heart disease, Dr. Hanks is passionate about the Heart Association’s mission. His 36 years of treating all aspects of heart disease in the primary care, inpatient and emergency department settings has taught him that despite all the amazing advances over this period, heart disease continues to be among the most serious threats to the health of our communities.
“It’s a great honor to serve in this role,” Dr. Hanks said. “I look forward to collaborating with our incredible team of volunteers and the American Heart Association to drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care for healthier people and communities. Creating lasting impact takes all of us — and together, we can build a healthier future for every person in the Capital Region.”
Dr. Hanks has been the president and CEO of St. Peter’s Health Partners and St. Joseph’s Health since 2023. An internist and emergency department physician, Dr. Hanks joined St. Peter’s Health Partners in 2016, as vice president and chief medical officer of Acute Care Albany. He became chief clinical officer for St. Peter’s Health Partners in 2018 and assumed additional responsibilities as chief operating officer in 2021.
Dr. Hanks received his M.D. with Distinction in Research from the University of Rochester, where he also completed his internship and residency in internal medicine. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Rochester, and he holds a master’s degree in medical management from Carnegie Mellon University. A native of Rhode Island, Dr. Hanks and his wife Lisa now reside in Cohoes, where they keep track of the lives of their four adult children and one grandson. When he’s not tending to the business of the health system, Dr. Hanks still finds time to work in the emergency department and is a skier and golfer.
“Dr. Hanks brings exceptional vision and energy as the president and CEO of St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s,” said Michael-Aaron Poindexter, chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in the Capital Region, chief program officer at The Regional Food Bank and senior pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church. “His commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission, combined with a clear passion for improving the well-being of our community, makes him an outstanding choice to lead this year’s campaign. We welcome Dr. Hanks as chair of the Heart of the Capital Region campaign, which unites leaders across our community to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”
The disco-themed Capital Region Heart Ball is set for Friday, February 27, at the Albany Capital Center. For information about sponsorship or purchasing tickets, visit www.heart.org/heartball518.
About the Capital Region Heart Ball
The 2026 Capital Region Heart Ball is set for Friday, Feb. 27, from 6:00–11:00 p.m. at the Albany Capital Center. Steven Hanks, M.D., president and CEO of St. Peter’s Health Partners and St. Joseph’s Health, is chair of the event. Rocco DeFazio will share his story of surviving heart disease. Peter Semenza of St. Peter’s Health Partners will receive the Donald Led Duke Heart Hero Award. Grand Central Station will perform. Sponsors include St. Peter’s Health Partners, BBL, CDPHP, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Tri-City Rentals, Albany Med Health System, CDTA, Hometown Healthcare, CBS 6, the Times Union and B95.5. For information, visit www.heart.org/HeartBall518 or contact heartofalbany@heart.org.