Local Experts Break Down the New 2025 High Blood Pressure Guidelines 

On Oct. 7, the Southern New England American Heart Association hosted a powerful conversation that brought the latest science in cardiovascular care directly to our community.  Local medical experts Edward McGookin, MD, chief of primary care for Brown University Health and Brown Health Medical Group Primary Care, and Martha Kole-White, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics … Read more

Southern New England Heart Walk Celebrates Milestone Year, Inspires New Momentum for 2025–26 Campaign

The American Heart Association Heart Walk promotes CPR readiness, celebrates survivors, and drives critical cardiovascular research PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, October 9, 2025 — The American Heart Association’s Southern New England Heart Walk united more than 3,000 participants on June 7, 2025, raising $449,000 to support lifesaving research, education and community health programs.  Held at Rhode … Read more

American Heart Association Southern New England Announces 2025-2026 Board of Directors

The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, proudly announces the appointment of its 2025-2026 Southern New England Board of Directors. Dr. Edward McGookin, MD, MHCDS, FAAP, Chief of Primary Care at Brown Health Medical Group, will continue to serve as Board President. Amy C. Vitale, Esq., Executive … Read more

Nine hospitals in the Rhode Island recognized for efforts to improve outcomes for Americans with heart disease and stroke

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 19, 2025 — Nine hospitals in Rhode Island are among the 4,800 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans … Read more

Advancing Health and Hope in Southern New England: A Year of Impact

Southern New England American Heart Association shares 2024-2025 Gratitude & Impact Mission Report Mission Statement: To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Driving Equitable Health for All The American Heart Association has spent more than a century working to create a world where everyone can live a longer and healthier … Read more

This National Walking Day Let’s Step Outside!

Latest stats show adults, kids aren’t getting enough physical activity for heart health Less than half of adults and fewer than one in five children in the U.S. get the recommended amount of physical activity needed for heart health, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update. That’s why the Association, … Read more

DiSanto Priest & Co takes cardiovascular disease to heart

Firm partners with American Heart Association’s year-round campaign to improve health in Southern New England PROVIDENCE, MARCH 4, 2025 — For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of Southern New England Heart Ball campaign, DiSanto Priest & Co has volunteered to … Read more

A Mother’s Unexpected Pregnancy Journey

Mother with daughter

Rhode Islander, Katie Bergantine, JD, shares her personal journey managing maternal heart health Guest Blog Written by Katie Bergantine, JD, of Coventry, Rhode Island with afterword from the American Heart Association Afterword from the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., or more simply put, heart disease … Read more

FM Senior Litigation Counsel Announced to Co-Chair Southern New England’s 2025 Go Red for Women® Movement

Alexsa Marino joins the American Heart Association’s initiative to improve women’s heart health Providence, Rhode Island, October 23rd, 2024 – The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, is proud to announce Alexsa Marino, Senior Litigation Counselor at FM, as a Co-chair for the 2025 Southern … Read more

Larry Sadwin honored at the 2024 Southern New England Heart Ball

The American Heart Association to recognized mission champion Larry Sadwin at annual event with the Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award Providence, Rhode Island, October 18, 2024: —Rhode Islander, Larry Sadwin, was honored as the 2024 Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award honoree at this year’s Southern New England Heart Ball. Sadwin has long time championed for … Read more

Southern New England Heart Walk teams unite to build lifesavers on World Restart a Heart Day

The American Heart Association urges Southern New Englanders to learn life-saving skill of Hands-Only CPR this October 16th Providence, Rhode Island, October 16th, 2024 — The Southern New England community is coming together in a powerful way through the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, uniting to save lives on World Restart a Heart Day. Nine … Read more

American Heart Association, Southern New England announces 2024-2025 board of directors

Dr. Edward McGookin, President of Coastal Medical Physicians, Inc., was named president of Southern New England’s board. The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, announced new leadership and members for its 2024-25 Southern New England board of directors. Dr. Edward McGookin, MD, MHCDS, FAAP, President of Coastal Medical, will serve … Read more

2024 Southern New England Heart Ball unites to create a world of longer, healthier lives

American Heart Association annual event raises hope by generating funds and awareness to fight heart disease and stroke Providence, Rhode Island, September 26th, 2024 — Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.[1] In addition, an aging, more diverse population, along with a significant increase in heart disease and stroke risk factors … Read more

A Message of Gratitude from Southern New England Executive Director on Impactful 2023-2024 Year

Hello All, On June 10, we celebrated 100 years of scientific discovery and innovation by the American Heart Association. Founded in Chicago by six cardiologists, the Association was inspired by a social worker who felt more could be done to help people who suffered heart attacks. From humble beginnings and with a vision of improving … Read more

Providence Lawyer Appointed to Lead Southern New England’s 2025 Go Red for Women® Movement

Community leader to chair American Heart Association’s initiative to improve women’s heart health Providence, Rhode Island, August 15, 2024 – The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Kathryn M. Rattigan, Partner at Robinson+Cole, as a co-chair for the 2025 Southern New England Go … Read more

Heather Scott to chair the American Heart Association’s 2024 Blair Go Red for Women Event and Fashion Show

Heather Scott, senior clinical manager of the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs at UPMC Altoona, will serve as the chairwoman of the 2024 Blair Go Red for Women® Event and Fashion Show. In her role as clinical manager, Heather Scott improves the quality of care that is provided to UPMC Altoona cardiac patients, ensuring each … Read more

Alicia Luciani of Capital Blue Cross named Capital Region Woman of Impact Winner

Alicia Luciani, senior technical business analyst at Capital Blue Cross, has been named the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women 2024 Capital Region Woman of Impact Winner for her work to raise funds and spread awareness in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women and improve health and well-being in the local … Read more

American Heart Association and G.F. Bowman donate A Ball for All in Lebanon County

More than 70 new soccer balls, footballs, basketballs and other playground balls were recently donated to youth organizations in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, thanks to the American Heart Association and G.F. Bowman. The Lebanon Revolution youth soccer program received a donation of 10 soccer balls and the South Sixth Street Playground in Lebanon received a collection … Read more

Geisinger and Evangelical Community Hospital step up with the American Heart Association to save lives in the Susquehanna Valley

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 928,000 people each year. Geisinger and Evangelical Community Hospital are working hand-in-hand with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to change that. Megan Brosious, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s central region and Saquib Siddiqi, DO, … Read more

American Heart Association and Martin Communications provide life-saving training tools to Cumberland County high school

CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[1]. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, along … Read more

Co-chairs named for American Heart Association’s 2024 York Heart Ball

As the American Heart Association kicks off its centennial year, Mary C. Heltzel of Stifel Investments and James Harvey, MD of WellSpan Health, have been named co-chairs of this year’s York Heart Ball. Heltzel, a financial advisor with more than 25 years of experience, serves as senior vice president of investments at Stifel. She focuses … Read more

American Heart Association and PNC Bank provide life-saving training tools to Dauphin County high school

Every year in the United States, there are more than 23,000 youth who experience a cardiac emergency outside of a hospital and almost 40 percent of those are sports-related. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[1]. That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader … Read more

Co-chairs named for American Heart Association’s 2024 Lancaster Heart Ball

As the American Heart Association kicks off its centennial year, Lisa Lesko and Dr. Julian Esteban of WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital have been named co-chairs of this year’s Lancaster Heart Ball. Lisa Lesko is a registered nurse and currently the director of nursing operations for invasive and non-invasive cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, interventional radiology, the wound … Read more