The American Heart Association recently announced Dr. Louis W. Hansrote, medical director at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiac Center in Allentown and chief of pediatric cardiology at Reilley’s Children’s Hospital of the Lehigh Valley, will serve as chairperson of the 2020 Lehigh Valley Heart Walk scheduled as a month-long virtual experience from September 1-30. With the pandemic keeping people at home, the Association is embracing a new approach to keep the Lehigh Valley Heart Walk event on schedule by going virtual. Heart Walk teams will not meet in person physically but will meet virtually to get moving at home or around the neighborhood with daily experiences throughout the month of September.
The Lehigh Valley Heart Walk, locally sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley Health Network, PSECU, and Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare, brings hundreds of Lehigh Valley families, organizations and businesses together annually for a fun-filled, cardiovascular wellness event. Now, more than ever during this time of physical distance, it’s important to find new ways to boost physical and emotional health. The Heart Walk is a great way to maintain healthy habits, stay socially connected and keep up with physical activity.
As chair of the event, Dr. Hansrote will manage a volunteer executive leadership team whose mission is to recruit businesses, community groups and individual walkers while helping raise $155,000 to support the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
“The mission of the American Heart Association is so important now more than ever,” said Dr. Hansrote. “We must continue our fight against heart disease and stroke, the leading killers in the Lehigh Valley, and continue to bring heart and brain health education and resources to our communities that need it most.”
According to the Association, 120 million Americans have one or more cardiovascular conditions that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 complications. Heart Walk supports the critical mission of the American Heart Association, including funding fast-tracked scientific projects to investigate the specific cardiovascular implications of COVID-19, while also highlighting the benefits of staying physically active. The Lehigh Valley Heart Walk will provide local families, businesses and organizations a virtual experience to have fun, stay connected and adapt to spending more time at home.
Dr. Hansrote is a pediatric cardiologist who has been practicing in the Lehigh Valley for the last 29 years. He currently serves as medical director at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiac Center in Allentown and is the chief of pediatric cardiology at Reilley’s Children’s Hospital of the Lehigh Valley. In addition to his professional field of diagnosing congenital and acquired heart disease in patients from fetal life to the age of 18, he also enjoys teaching pediatric residents and students of all ages. Dr. Hanrote is a strong advocate for healthy lifestyles, preventative medicine and for teaching CPR in the community, and in his free time, he enjoys cooking and fitness.
To learn how you can join Dr. Hansrote in the American Heart Association Lehigh Valley virtual Heart Walk experience, visit www.heart.org/lehighvalleywalk or call 484.245.6268.