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Six Lehigh Valley and Berks leaders join nationwide effort to ensure equitable health for all

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Leaders of Impact 2024

The American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact™ nominees work to advance health and hope for everyone everywhere through community fundraising and philanthropy The American Heart Association believes that everyone everywhere … Read more

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

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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 … Read more

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

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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 … Read more

Chaired by Bentley Systems Leaders, the American Heart Association will hold its STEM Goes Red Event this fall, Encouraging Young Women to Engage in STEM Careers.

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2024 Philadelphia STEM Goes Red

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Bentley’s Angela Curry, Ellen Lewis and Gina Mazzulla Lead the 2024 Philadelphia STEM Goes Red Initiative The American Heart Association (AHA) proudly announces its STEM Goes Red … Read more

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, joins movement to turn bystanders to lifesavers with Vice President of Quality leading the way

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Julia Jones leads 2024 American Heart Association Hampton Roads Heart Challenge Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially … Read more

Long Island Executive to lead local effort driving equitable health

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James Prinzivalli paves the way for the 2024 Hamptons Heart Ball

into the Association’s next century

LONG ISLAND, NY, May 15, 2024 — As plans are underway for the 2024 Hamptons Heart Ball, James Prinzivalli, President of Executive Fliteways, has been named centennial chair of this year’s community-wide campaign. The Hamptons Heart Ball celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s effort of investing in and saving and improving lives throughout Long Island.

“Mr. Prinzivalli exemplifies true leadership and commitment to Long Island and is the ideal person to head our Hamptons Heart Ball campaign for the Association’s centennial year. As a trusted member of our community, he understands the impact the mission and work of the American Heart Association can have on every person who lives on Long Island.  We welcome James to the Heart Ball, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and works to equitably improve and save lives,” said Mr. Joseph Perry, Chairman of the American Heart Association’s Long Island board of directors and Tax and Business Services Leader at Marcum, LLP.

In 2024 the American Heart Association will celebrate its centennial year, celebrating 100 years of progress and a vision for a brighter future for all.

“I am honored to serve as the Centennial Chair of the 2024 Hamptons Heart Ball,” said Mr. Prinzivalli.  “I am eager to work together with our outstanding team of volunteers and the American Heart Association as we all advocate to make a difference for the well-being of people in our community.”

The 2024 Hamptons Heart Ball is sponsored by Live Fierce. Life is Why sponsor Mount Sinai South Nassau and Live Fierce. Be Well sponsor Stony Brook Medicine and is slated for Wednesday, June 19, 6:00pm at The Wine Stand at Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack, NY.

The annual event is a night to celebrate the association’s year-round efforts to drive health equity on Long Island.  Throughout the evening the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Hamptons Heart Ball, visit www.heart.org/heartofthehamptons.

Lehigh Valley & Berks female changemakers lead effort to fight No. 1 killer

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The American Heart Association’s® Woman of Impact™ nominees champion heart health for Go Red for Women’s® fundraising and philanthropy initiative. March is women’s history month and what better way to … Read more

Dr. Richard L. Snyder of Independence Blue Cross is a champion for training a Nation of Lifesavers through CPR and AED awareness

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June 1-7 each year is National CPR Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR.  Dr. Richard L. Snyder, Executive Vice President of Facilitated Health … Read more

EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Highlights Powerful Partnerships, Kicks-Off Grant Application Period

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Webinar panelists four-pane
Webinar panelists share wisdom around community impact.

The power of partnerships built on trust, dignity and respect was a key theme during March 17th’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Zoom webinar, hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA), Eastern States region.

“When you see value in people, it affirms that value that is in you,” said Dr. Abraham Shanklin, Jr. Founder/Executive Director of the Center for Transformation in Maryland, an AHA collaborator.

During the webinar, Shanklin and ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church Rev. Leroy Miles, Jr. of Philadelphia, provided tips based on their own experiences in bolstering scalable community impact.

“It’s about those relationships that give you access,” said Miles. “Don’t be afraid to try, don’t be afraid to ask.”

Shanklin speaking
Bishop Shanklin

Shanklin and Miles offered wisdom gleaned from their own community leadership experiences to inspire webinar participants as AHA, Eastern States region launched the application cycle opening for it’s EmPOWERED to Serve Faith-Based Accelerator. The Faith-Based Accelerator is a grant-funding initiative for faith institutions and leaders to continue and scale their business models aimed at addressing social determinants of health in their communities. AHA aligns with faith-based communities to improve health and empower sustainable outcomes. Applications for a total of $105K in grant funding to communities of faith in select states will be accepted through April 30, 2021. Learn more or apply here.

Miles headsot
Reverend Miles

Shanklin and Miles were joined by AHA’s Vice President, Health Equity and National Partnerships Pamela Garmon-Johnson, who emphasized how important it is to deploy resources “connecting the dots so that we can have the greatest impact on our communities.”

“We have been charged with a purpose in order to be the voice for the voiceless….when we put all of our resources together that is when we can truly, truly put together the greatest difference,” said Garmon-Johnson.

Both Miles and Shanklin have successfully bolstered efforts to positively impact the social determinants of health in their own communities — factors that influence where and how people live, learn, work and play and provide context to a person’s life. Social determinants can play just as big of a role in affecting health as medications and physical lifestyle changes. Their work has included focusing on recidivism, family stability, food security, and health knowledge.

“We’ve tried to be a model and help you replicate [successful programs] at your spot,” said Miles, who collaborated to move ENON’s annual “Know Your Numbers” health-screening day, aimed at reaching 1,000 Philadelphia men, to a drive-through experience amid COVID-19. Participants were able to get take-home colon screening kits, HIV screenings, BP checks, glucose, cholesterol, and COVID screenings at the event which Miles termed a “significant pivot in such a time as this.” AHA provided take-home blood pressure kits for self-monitoring for those who were found to be hypertensive.

“You all are heroes in your respective areas, the assignments that you have, the passion that you have. All of these ideas [we are putting forth], they serve just as starting blocks,” said Shanklin. Among the many initiatives of the Center, Shanklin and his partners were able to feed 1200 people in Maryland and distribute over 50K pounds of food by leveraging county relationships.

Both Miles and Shanklin highlighted the value of partnering with organizations, including AHA. “I love the partnerships with AHA and EmPOWERED to Serve,” said Shanklin. Miles noted that the reimagined “Know Your Numbers” program gained traction due to partnerships with local AHA board members and Einstein Health.

“Powerful partnerships, meeting people where they are, and speaking with a trustworthy voice are three of the AHA’s Guiding Values — our 10 commitments to health equity — this shores up making sure that we are holding ourselves accountable so that we can make an impact,” said Garmon-Johnson.

American Heart Association, Eastern States Vice President Health Strategies Rhonda Ford-Chatmon asked webinar participants to provide feedback so that AHA can continue to strengthen community partnerships.

“Tell us what you need. We are here to be responsible. We are listening to you, and we want to be of help,” said Ford-Chatmon. She invited anyone with community needs to email questions or ideas to 2021FaithBasedAccelerator@heart.org

To watch the entire workshop, click here.

Greater Maryland Heart Walk Chair, Chambers: “You can actually save a life by participating in Heart Walk.”

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The American Heart Association (AHA) is pleased to announce that Bradley S. Chambers President, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and Senior Vice President, MedStar Health has been named chair of the 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk.

“You can actually save a life by participating in Heart Walk,” said Chambers—citing the urgency of the pandemic, and the data, challenges, and outcomes amid COVID-19 that left members of our communities impacted by cardiovascular diseases and stroke particularly vulnerable.

“You can make a difference in the lives of individuals and their family members afflicted with heart disease, who are at much higher risk,” said Chambers.

Together, with corporations and community leaders throughout the Greater Maryland area, the American Heart Association aims to raise $1,650,000 through the 2021 Heart Walk Campaign. To get involved, register your team at www.greatermarylandheartwalk.org.

Bradley S. Chambers headshot
Bradley S. Chambers

Chambers said he is especially excited to lead the 2021 Heart Walk, as he sees the planned October 16, 2021 walk at Camden Yards as a chance for renewal.

“The Heart Walk fosters cardiovascular disease awareness, and this year I hope it will also be a community celebration of being able to take a walk together again,” said Chambers.

Chambers also said he feels as “president of a hospital that takes great pride in its work in cardiovascular care,” it is important for healthcare executives like him to lead by example, “energize” the cardiovascular team at MedStar Health by celebrating the work they do every day, and “rally behind” the shared chronic-disease prevention and population efforts mutually valued by MedStar Health and the American Heart Association.

“By leading the Heart Walk, you really can impact education, awareness, screening, and prevention,” said Chambers.

Chambers also has a personal connection to cardiovascular disease. He lost his mother, an uncle, and father-in-law as a result of cardiovascular complications. His leadership of the Heart Walk is close to his own family’s heart.

“I have seen the impact of cardiovascular disease on my family—multiple family members affected—some with fatal events caused by issues that were previously undetected. Detection and treatment are so important,” said Chambers.

About the Greater Maryland Heart Walk:

The Greater Maryland Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. This annual celebration of life promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living for the whole family. The 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk has a goal to raise $1,650,000 for the American Heart Association’s life-saving mission to build healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Walk is a non-competitive, two-mile or one-mile walk at Camden Yards Sports Complex and is open to both corporate and community teams as well as individuals.

In 2020, more than 3,000 digital participants in the Greater Maryland Region raised $1,420,000 in support of the American Heart Association. We reached 1.8 million people with key life-saving messages through social media.

Complete information can be found on www.greatermarylandheartwalk.org

AHA expands the Faces of Heart campaign in Philadelphia with the support of generous donors Stephanie & Matthew Austin, M.D.

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The AHA in Philadelphia is pleased to announce the expansion of the Faces of Heart campaign with local philanthropists Stephanie & Matthew Austin, M.D.  With their gift of $120,000, the AHA is grateful to the Austin’s for their support of … Read more

The AHA Convenes Health Equity Leaders to Discuss Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color

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Long before the coronavirus impacted how we live, work, and play, systemic challenges contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not … Read more

Roanoke Heart Ball has Record-Breaking Year!

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The 2020 Roanoke Heart Ball was not only a lovely event with great attendance, great food, lots of fun and plenty of excitement, but it also became the highest-grossing Heart Ball in event history!

Thanks to a perfect storm – great attendance, incredible sponsors and so many generous donations made that night – the 2020 Roanoke Heart Ball raised $255,000. It truly was a record-breaking night!

“Our 2020 Roanoke Heart Ball, co-chaired by Dr. Robert Sandel and Cynthia Lawrence, had its best year ever,” said Elizabeth Vail, Senior Director of Development for the American Heart Association. “We are so thankful for the outpouring of support from our region to help further the mission of the American Heart Association and save lives!”

“Funds raised from this event will go to support cutting edge heart and brain research conducted here in our community as well as quality preventative education programs,” added Vail.

Sponsors for this year’s event included Carilion Clinic, Howell’s Motor Freight, Inc. and BB&T/SunTrust (now Truist).

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support from our region to help further the mission of the American Heart Association and save lives,” said Vail.

For more information on the event, contact Lindsey Williams, Director of Development, at lindsey.williams@heart.org, or visit the website.