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From Grandmother to Advocate: Miriam Plitt
The ballroom quieted as Miriam Plitt walked toward the stage. Moments later, the American Heart Association presented her with the Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest honor in Southern New England, drawing a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 300 physicians, executives, advocates, and volunteers. Chair of the RI State Advocacy Committee for the American … Read more
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Volunteer Spotlight: How One Student Turned a Personal Story into Community Impact
On a campus known for shaping students through service and leadership, one junior has turned personal pain into public purpose. Preston Feden, 17, a Warwick native and member of La Salle Academy’s class of 2027, recently earned recognition as the Southern New England Leader of Impact from the American Heart Association. The honor is part … Read more
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New members join initiative championing health in schools across the Northeast
Superintendents across the Northeast region are working with the American Heart Association to improve the health and well-being of students, families and educators. Nineteen superintendents were selected to serve as volunteer leaders for the second year of the Association’s Eastern States Superintendent Council. In its second year, the Superintendent Council has new leadership. Mark Laurrie, … Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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A Mother’s Unexpected Pregnancy Journey
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Washington Trust executive appointed chair of American Heart Association’s Southern New England Heart Walk
Senior Vice President and Chief Wealth Client Services Officer of Washington Trust, Kim McCarthy joins mission to save lives from heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Rhode Island, and Kim McCarthy, Senior Vice President and Chief Wealth Client Services Officer of Washington Trust, is working with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to change that. McCarthy is the … Read more
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Hard Hats with Heart: 2024 Southern New England Event shines light on heart disease, stroke prevalence in construction industry
*UPDATED April, 25th, 2024 TO REFLECT CORRECT DATE INFORMATION* PROVIDENCE (April 18th, 2024) – The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, is teaming up with Southern New England construction companies on Sept. 9 to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, which disproportionately affect those working in the construction … Read more
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Take steps towards a longer, healthier life on National Walking Day
The American Heart Association invites people to move more and stress less as organization celebrates 100 years of lifesaving work Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve overall health and manage stress, yet 1 in 4 U.S. adults are sedentary for more than eight hours each day, which can have negative consequences … Read more
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Two Rhode Island businesswomen honored by American Heart Association
Melissa Cummings of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island received the Lifetime Legacy Award and Carrie Bridges Feliz of Lifespan received the Cheryl W. Snead Servant Leader Award at the 2024 Southern New England Go Red for Women Luncheon The American Heart Association is pleased to announce that Melissa Cummings, Executive Vice President … Read more
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Southern New England unites to help eliminate heart disease and stroke in women
American Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women Luncheon raises awareness and critical funds, while calling for action against health disparities Providence, Rhode Island, March 7th, 2024— This year, more than 500 people dressed in red attended Southern New England’s annual Go Red for Women Luncheon to honor survivors, celebrate advancements in heart health and … Read more
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Pittsburgh Pastor Receives Top Grant at the First EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the top awardees of its first-ever EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based hosted by the Eastern States region. The first-place grant of $50,000 was awarded to Pastor Cynthia Wallace of Bible Center Church in the Homewood neighborhood of … Read more
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Five Faith-Based Organizations Named as Finalists in the American Heart Association’s First EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based
Over $105,000 in Grants Will be Awarded to Local Community Leaders Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. … Read more
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EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Highlights Powerful Partnerships, Kicks-Off Grant Application Period
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. … Read more
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The American Heart Association Launches Funding Initiative Aimed at Supporting Communities through Local Faith Institutions
Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. That is why the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region is … Read more
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Boston Globe interviews local American Heart Association grant recipient
A social entrepreneur from Rhode Island who was the top finalist in a recent American Heart Association grant competition was profiled in The Boston Globe this week. Abigail Kohler is the co-founder and chief executive of ResusciTech, a Providence-based startup that developed an app to help train and certify users in CPR and first aid. … Read more
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Maine-Based Sea Bags Supports Heart and Brain Health through American Heart Association’s Life Is Why Campaign
Sea Bags is joining the fight against heart disease and stroke by supporting the American Heart Association – the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all. Sea Bags will provide customers the opportunity to support the American Heart Association’s fundraising campaign, Life Is Why™, by donating 20% of profits from … Read more
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New England Patriots and NFL PLAY 60 keep kids active as COVID-19 cases continue to spike
The American Heart Association and NFL, in collaboration with the New England Patriots, are excited to debut the first-ever NFL PLAY 60 library, which features kid-friendly exercises to help kids to get their recommended 60-minutes of daily physical activity. Amidst the rising number of COVID-19 cases, schools and organized sports have begun to reinstate contact … Read more
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AHA President: The best way forward requires bridging disciplines, people, places
The challenges facing our world are many – from timely concerns such as the coronavirus pandemic and the renewed emphasis it has placed on the need to dismantle structural racism to the ongoing challenges of treating and beating the top two killers around the globe: heart disease and stroke. As president of the American Heart … Read more
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American Heart Association names new president of Southern New England Board of Directors
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, is pleased to announce that Robert H. Schwengel, MD, FACC of Southcoast Health, has been appointed President of the Association’s Board of Directors in Southern New England. Serving for several years on the Southern New … Read more
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The AHA Launches 2nd Webinar in a Series Discussing Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
Long before the pandemic, systemic challenges have contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, as well as immigration status, occupation, and language preference, have … Read more
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ICYMI: Eastern States Launched a Webinar Series on the Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
On May 15, the Eastern States Community Impact team launched the first webinar of a series designed to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in communities of color. The webinar was offered to health equity leaders nationwide and was attended by approximately 1,035 participants. During the webinar, implications of COVID-19 from the perspective of economics, education, … Read more
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The AHA Convenes Health Equity Leaders to Discuss Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
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 determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, have been mostly responsible … Read more
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Group tackles health disparities in northeastern states
A consortium that coordinates the efforts of local and regional cardiovascular disease prevention programs helped states achieve major goals for eliminating health disparities, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019 in Philadelphia. Researchers implemented the Northeast Health Equity Consortium in eight states (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, … Read more
