Philadelphia

Philadelphia lawyer spearheads local women’s heart health movement

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Rosemary J. Loverdi of Dilworth Paxson LLP to chair the American Heart Association’s Philadelphia 2025-26 Go Red for Women initiative Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women[1] in Philadelphia and across the United States. To change that, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, … Read more

Initiative to reduce blood pressure gets a big “YEAH”

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The Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure initiative—focused on removing barriers to accurate blood pressure measurement and improving early diagnosis and treatment in partnership with healthcare providers in West, Southwest and North Philadelphia—recently teamed up with Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH Philly). YEAH Philly, a nonprofit serving teens and young adults impacted … Read more

Philadelphia Represented Among Top Honorees at International Stroke Conference 2026

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PHILADELPHA, PA., Friday, February 6, 2026 — Eleven top scientists in stroke and brain health were recognized for their individual exceptional professional achievements and contributions to stroke and brain health care and research during the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2026. Philadelphia was represented among this distinguished group at the world premier meeting for researchers and … Read more

Heart failure after childbirth

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How Kirsten survived peripartum cardiomyopathy  Kirsten, 31, a busy mom and licensed professional therapist, enjoyed cooking and spending time with her large, extended family. She and her husband were recently married and thrilled to be expecting their first child together. Her pregnancy had been fairly routine; however, in her third trimester, she began having concerning dreams.  “One dream … Read more

Volunteers lead year-round campaign to improve health in Philadelphia

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Vishal Patel and Kernika Gupta

Kernika Gupta and Vishal Patel named 2026 American Heart Association Greater Philadelphia Heart Ball Chairs For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of Philadelphia’s Heart Ball campaign, Kernika Gupta and Vishal Patel, of the Brave Lights Foundation and volunteer Association chairpersons will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in Philadelphia has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart Ball celebrates hope and progress … Read more

Temple Health joins citywide effort to tackle the silent killer

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With high blood pressure affecting over a third of residents, a collaboration aims to break down barriers to care and save lives At least 33 percent of people in North Philadelphia suffer from high blood pressure. But many don’t know it – that’s why hypertension is often called “the silent killer.” By age 55, three … Read more

American Heart Association and Jefferson Health Host Hands-Only CPR Kiosk Showcase at Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man Center”

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In a collaborative effort to enhance youth health and community well-being, the American Heart Association (AHA), Jefferson Health and Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB) are proud to announce the installation of a Hands-Only CPR Kiosk at the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center. The unveiling event on February 13th coincided with the observance of Heart Month and … Read more

Advocating for Improved Access to Care: A Community Forum Recap

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participants in the Advocate Community Forum

On Thursday, January 30, the Collaboration for Equitable Health (CFEH) initiative held its fifth Advocate Community Forum at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) in Philadelphia. This forum was a continuation of ongoing efforts to engage with community members and discuss the critical issue of advocating for improved access to care. Philadelphia faces unique challenges in … Read more

Philadelphia Collaboration for Equitable Health Hosts First Advocacy Day at City Hall

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Advocacy Day Highlights Collaborative Efforts to Address Health Equity in Philadelphia The Philadelphia Collaboration for Equitable Health (CFEH), powered by Bank of America and together with the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and University of Michigan School of Public Health, recently hosted its inaugural Advocacy Day at City Hall.  The CFEH … 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 event, scheduled for November 12, 2024, at the prestigious Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Penn Medicine. STEM Goes Red is a cornerstone program of the … Read more

Empowering Local Advocacy

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Amplifying a Mini Coalition for Tangible Change in Greater Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA, May 7, 2024—The Collaboration for Equitable Health in Philadelphia, a healthy equity initiative powered by Bank of America, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (The Association), the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), the American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public … Read more

Nearly $1.8 million raised to improve health and hope for all in Philadelphia

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The American Heart Association’s annual Heart Ball celebrated Philadelphians working to reduce health care disparities PHILADELPHIA, March 25 2024 — The Philadelphia Heart Ball, held March 23 at the National Constitution center, was a celebration of 100 years of the American Heart Association and the Heart of Philadelphia campaign, a year-round movement to drive equitable … Read more

Bank of America Health Equity Initiative in Philadelphia Leverages the Voices of Community Members to Build More Resilient and Healthier Neighborhoods

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Philadelphia, PA, October, 17, 2023 – Today, the Philadelphia Collaboration for Equitable Health, a healthy equity initiative powered by Bank of America, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (The Association), the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), the American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public Health, held its first advocacy community forum … Read more

Angela Curry, Chief Compliance Officer at Bentley Systems, to lead 2023-2024 Philadelphia STEM GOES RED Initiative

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Community leader inspires young women in Philadelphia public schools to uncover their potential through STEM Goes Red movement with support from local communities, employers, and schools.

 The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Angela Curry, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Bentley Systems, as the volunteer chair of the 2023-2024 Philadelphia area STEM Goes Red movement. STEM Goes Red is working to engage more women in STEM through the Association’s strong legacy of science, education, and discovery to help propel young women into rewarding STEM careers.

STEM Goes Red brings interesting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young women. By giving students access to leading employers and experts, they have the chance for an insider look at what they do. STEM Goes Red attendees gain firsthand experience, connect with inspiring professionals, and learn about careers across STEM fields. Students can walk away feeling like a whole new world of STEM has been revealed — a world in which they can truly love what they do and make a tremendous impact.

“As the Chair of STEM Goes Red and a proud parent of students attending Philadelphia public schools, I am passionate and invested in our school district and in our next generation of STEM leaders,” said Curry. “STEM Goes Red is an exceptional initiative that provides mentorship and exposure to STEM careers so that girls can talk to women in STEM and see their future selves in companies like Bentley. Students have direct and meaningful interactions with inspiring women in STEM fields, and what they come out with is a dream and a blueprint for real pathways to careers in STEM.”

“We are thrilled to have Angela’s experience, conviction, and passion to lead our Philadelphia STEM Goes Red campaign to new heights. Together, we know that we will have a positive impact on the lives of young women in our Philadelphia community. Our collective goal is for these young women to become our next cardiologists, researchers, and scientists who can help end heart disease,” said Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Philadelphia.

This year’s STEM Goes Red movement will culminate with a hands-on event for female students with an interest in STEM in grades 9th – 12th in early November, sponsored by Bentley Systems.

For more information about Go Red for Women contact: Allison Snavely @ allison.snavely@heart.org

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 Networks for Independence Blue Cross, has been a long-time champion and advocate of CPR & AED awareness, leading a citywide initiative, CPR Ready Coalition, in … Read more

Penn Medicine Cardiologist is Honored with American Heart Association Top Award: 2023 Edward S. Cooper, MD Award

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The American Heart Association, the largest voluntary health organization fighting cardiovascular diseases, announces Paul J. Mather, MD, as the 2023 recipient of the Edward. S. Cooper, MD Award. The award is named for Dr. Edward S. Cooper, a world-renowned physician and a pioneer in hypertension and stroke and the first African American to serve as … Read more

Dr. Richard Snyder of Independence Blue Cross Receives Regional Award from American Heart Association

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On February 8, 2023, local leaders come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Richard Snyder at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine’s CPR Kiosk. Dr. Snyder received the Leadership Legacy Award from the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region, an award given to only a select few. Dr. Snyder has volunteered with the Association for many years, including being the Philadelphia region’s board chair. He has always been passionate about CPR, raising awareness and teaching those in the Philadelphia region Hands-Only CPR.

Why It Matters: Each year more than 350,000 people suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest, only 10% of those people survive. Dr. Snyder has played an integral role in helping to improve those odds by helping to create the CPR Ready Coalition in Philadelphia. This coalition was created in 2016 with a goal of increasing the number of people who are trained and willing to perform hands-only CPR. This coalition is comprised of: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CPR/AED Public Awareness and Training Network, The Health Care Improvement Foundation, Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia Fire Department, and the School District of Philadelphia.

Dr. Snyder was also instrumental in bringing the first CPR Kiosk to the Philadelphia Region, at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, where people can learn CPR at their own pace, and beready to help someone in crisis.

“Hands-Only CPR is a powerful tool that takes only 60 seconds to learn and can double or even triple a victim’s chances of survival. said Richard Snyder, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross.

Kevin Mahoney, CEO University of Pennsylvania Health System, was on hand to help present the award to Dr. Snyder, along with the Fire Commissioner of Philadephia, AdamThiel, Gregory Deavons, CEO of Independence Blue Cross  and Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Philadelphia, all of whom shared the same sentiment, that Dr. Snyder always puts the patients and the community at large first.

 

American Heart Association Go Red for Women in Philadelphia Announces 2022-23 Campaign Co-Chairs Shelly Buck, President, Riddle Hospital and Barbara Wadsworth, Executive VP/ Chief Operating Officer, Main Line Health to Lead this Year’s Campaign

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Go Red for Women in Philadelphia is proud to announce that Shelly Buck and Barbara Wadsworth, both from Main Line Health, the city’s Go Red signature sponsor, will Co-Chair this year’s campaign.  In their roles, Buck and Wadsworth will lead the 2022-23 fundraising efforts for Go Red, which encourages women to take charge of their … Read more

Daniel J. Rader, M.D., FAHA, of the University of Pennsylvania, to receive 2021 Research Achievement Award, the American Heart Association’s highest scientific award

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The American Heart Association (AHA)will present its 2021 Research Achievement Award to Daniel J. Rader, M.D., FAHA, of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He will receive the award during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 14 at the Association’s Scientific Sessions 2021. The meeting will be fully virtual, Saturday, Nov. … Read more

AHA Honors Philadelphian’s with National Volunteer Award Recognitions

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Each year, The American Heart Association honors its extraordinary volunteers at the National Volunteer Awards.  This year, we are proud to recognize three local volunteers from the Philadelphia area who have served in leadership roles in our community over the years. Susan Croushore will receive the Morgan Stark Memorial Awad for her extraordinary leadership as … Read more

AHA & AL DÍA Present Roundtable Addressing Health Inequity in Philadelphia

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Imagine a community where healthy choices are equitable and accessible, where your ZIP code doesn’t determine your health. The AHA in Philadelphia partnered with Spanish Media AL DÍA to present Health Equity: No Matter Where You Live, a conversation about social determinants of health and access to quality care in Philadelphia.  The conversation will focus … Read more

NFI Industries supports the American Heart Association in Philadelphia in an effort to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease

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NFI, a leading supply chain provider, today announced a three-year relationship with the American Heart Association . In alignment with the core value of social responsibility, this work will improve the health and wellness of our communities and will support NFI employees across the country. “Our work with the AHA directly resonates with NFI, as … Read more

The American Heart Association Launches Funding Initiative Aimed at Supporting Communities through Local Faith Institutions

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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

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 local survivors in their quest for living FEIRCE healthy lives!   As a heart survivor herself, Stephanie has been passionate about the work of the American … Read more

Philadelphia Eagles Participate in NFL PLAY 60 Kids Day

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On Wednesday, February 3 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT, NFL PLAY 60 Kids Day will host an action packed, synchronous broadcast from the Super Bowl LV host city, Tampa Bay. During this broadcast, the NFL team with the winning NFL PLAY 60 exercise of the 2020-2021 season will be announced. Throughout January, kids were asked to view team … Read more

The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation contributes $1 million to support social entrepreneurship in Philadelphia

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 The American Heart Association in Philadelphia will recieve a $1 million gift from the Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation to the Association’s Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund. The Tyson Fund invests in evidence-based, community-driven entrepreneurial solutions that address social determinants of health. The contribution will be directed in two rounds of funding … Read more

Dr. Colleen Hanley Serves as 2021 Main Line Health Go Red Champion in Philadelphia

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Colleen Hanley, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute.  Dr. Hanley graduated from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Temple University Hospital, followed by a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Hanley is board certified in cardiovascular … Read more

AHA Partners with Philabundance to Provide Nutritious Food to Families During Pandemic

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association has teamed up with Philabundance, a food bank in Philadelphia, to meet the needs of students who require additional support. Since the pandemic has forced students out of the school environment, many are struggling with nutrition insecurity – a significant hardship for those who typically rely on … Read more

COVID-19: The Impact on Communities of Color

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Updated May 29, 2020 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, … Read more

Philadelphia Heart Ball Honors Football Hall of Famer for Foundation’s Community Impact Work

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On Saturday, February 22, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum was transformed into a special night of community and philanthropy for the 63rd Annual Philadelphia Heart Ball. This year, the Heart of Philadelphia honor was awarded to former Philadelphia Eagles safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins and his wife, Connie for their substantial … Read more

Special Deliveries by WSFS Bank for All Babies Born During the Month of February in Philadelphia

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February is Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease, the world’s leading cause of death.  Congenital heart defects are a form of heart disease and are the most common birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 babies per year in the United States alone.  In honor of Heart Month, and in support of raising … Read more

Philadelphia’s Second CPR Kiosk Installed at Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine

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CPR saves lives. When administered immediately after cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival can double or triple. However, 70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed. Earlier this month, American Heart Association Philadelphia … Read more