The American Heart Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Ami Bhatt has been named chair of the 2023 Boston Heart and Stroke Ball.
Dr. Bhatt is chief innovation officer for the American College of Cardiology. She is also president of the American Heart Association’s Board of Directors in Boston.
Dr. Bhatt brings a wealth of experience as a clinical cardiologist, investigator and educator, as well as a passion for the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association, to this leadership role.
As Heart and Stroke Ball chair, Dr. Bhatt is leading an Executive Leadership Team of area business leaders and medical professionals working to recruit companies and organizations to take part in this year’s campaign. Their efforts will culminate at the Heart and Stroke Ball, which will be held Saturday, May 13, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
“Dr. Bhatt exemplifies true leadership and commitment as a cardiologist in Boston and is the ideal person to head our Heart and Stroke Ball campaign,” said Karen A. Whitefield, executive director of the American Heart Association in Boston. “As a trusted member of this community, she understands the impact the American Heart Association can have on every person who lives in this area.”
Dr. Bhatt graduated from Harvard College, obtained her doctoral degree from Yale School of Medicine, and trained at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her research centers on identifying and implementing solutions to overcoming access barriers to cardiovascular and telemedicine care.
“I am honored to chair this campaign, which is helping to remove barriers to health care access and quality in Greater Boston and beyond,” said Dr. Bhatt. “Together, we can make a difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke and create a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.”
The Heart and Stroke Ball is an annual event that celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s Heart of Boston campaign, a year-round effort aimed at improving the health of Greater Boston.
Highlights of this year’s ball will include a live auction and entertainment from the band East Coast Soul.
Dr. Lee Schwamm, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School who holds the C. Miller Fisher Endowed Chair of Vascular Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, will receive the Paul Dudley White Award for his contributions to the field of neurology. Savennah Mendes-Rodrigues, a college student from Abington, will be recognized for saving the life of a toddler who fell into a pool last August by promptly performing CPR on the child.
Jessica Brown, of WCVB News Channel 5, will serve as host for the evening. Brown co-anchors WCVB’s NewsCenter 5 at Noon and NewsCenter 5 at 4PM. She is also the station’s medical reporter.
Joining Bhatt on the Executive Leadership Team are Tiffany Garland, U.S. head of sales, rare disease, Alnylam; Rich Glenn, head of commercial medical devices, Verily; Barry Greene, CEO, Sage Therapeutics; Dr. Naomi Hamburg, professor of medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; Dr. Marvin Konstam, chief physician executive, The Cardiovascular Center, Tufts Medical Center; Peter Lawrence, president and CEO, Cardurion Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Gerald Marx, senior associate, cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital; Dr. Deeb Salem, senior vice president of academic integration, Tufts Medical Center.
To learn more, register for the event or donate, please visit BostonHeartandStrokeBall.heart.org or contact event director Rachel Adjemian at [email protected]