American Heart Association Nebraska
South Central Nebraska
Both knowing and controlling blood pressure is critical for optimal heart health. However, not everyone has equal access to blood pressure monitoring devices—especially in rural communities. With funding and support from the American Heart Association, the South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (SCNAAA) is expanding access to healthcare through its network of senior center blood pressure “screen, educate, and refer” hubs. Eight senior centers across rural Nebraska have already implemented these hubs, with two more planned for launch later this year.
Self-Measured Blood Pressure Programs
Accurate blood pressure measurement is critical for timely diagnosis and treatment of individuals with high blood pressure. That’s why we’re working directly with clinics like Jefferson Community Health and Life and CHI Health Kearney Clinics to support the implementation of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) programs. These initiatives empower patients to monitor their blood pressure at home, improving accuracy and engagement in their own care.
Public Service Commission Passes
T-CPR Policy
In December, the Nebraska Public Service Commission passed a lifesaving policy known as Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR). The American Heart Association advocated for this policy change and is thrilled that all 911 Nebraska Telecommunicators will be trained in T-CPR.
CPR Can Save Lives
Of the 350,000 cardiac arrests that happen outside the hospital every year, less than 12 percent of victims survive. We can change that. CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. Our Nebraska team is in the community conducting training sessions for companies and organizations, supplying local schools with CPR training and equipment, and helping to spread the message that it only takes two steps to save a life: Call 911. Push hard and fast.
Focus on Quality
When medical professionals apply the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines, patient outcomes improve. That's the simple truth behind the drive for continuous quality improvement. Our comprehensive suite of programs can help you advance farther and faster in the quest for ever-better care.
Featured Recipe
This heart-healthy twist on a classic casserole will be devoured in minutes. You can easily make this recipe into a healthy dip for a gathering. Top with avocado chunks from 1 medium avocado. Serve with whole-grain pita chips (lowest sodium available) or baked corn tortillas chips.
New Moms Face the Highest Risk
Events in Your Area
Lincoln Heart Walk
Location: Antelope Park South - Memorial Park
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 08:00 AM
RegisterGreater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk
Location: Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 - 08:00 AM
RegisterCentral Nebraska Go Red for Women
Location: Younes Conference Center South
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026 - 05:00 PM
RegisterIn Your Community
The American Heart Association is committed to driving equitable health impact in Nebraska through five key priority areas: women, readiness, tobacco and vaping, patients, and healthy living. Equity is always at the center of our work, and it will continue to guide all that we do.
Through our focus on these key impact areas, and with collaboration among local organizations, sponsors, businesses, and others that serve the community, we are working to improve the health and well-being of Nebraska citizens while saving and improving countless lives.
Throughout the state of Nebraska, we’ve seen our community impact work grow, including efforts around creating avenues for greater access to care, expanding healthy food access and education, building a network of first responders through CPR kits in schools, supporting blood pressure screenings and education, and educating on the dangers of tobacco and vaping.
People are counting on us as never before. We at the American Heart Association, along with our supporters, will drive change, and we will be relentless. Thank you for your continued support.
For more than 40 years, Advocacy has had a mission-critical role in the American Heart Association's work. Our legislative and regulatory priorities help to mitigate risk factors and protect survivors in communities across the country. We support the enactment of evidence-based public policies that lead to longer, healthier lives.
Public policy advocacy is an essential strategy used by the Association to affect necessary and sustainable policy, system and environmental changes that help Nebraska citizens build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Some of the policy areas we focus on in Nebraska and its communities include: Cardiac Emergency Response plans, Access to Care, CPR, Hypertension Prevention and Control, Access to Nutrition, and others as well.
Board Chair
Laura O'Connor
FNBO
Board President
Dr. Jeffrey Delaney
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Members
Pooneh Bagher, PhD
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Sara Bills
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Drew Bokenkamp
Union Pacific
Mark Burgers
Boston Omaha Asset Management
Lee Janecek
WoodmenLife
Carol Kirchner
University of Nebraska-Omaha
Chandra Kuhl
Nebraska Medicine
Helen Mari Merrit, DO
Methodist
Josh Weiss
DSMi Software
Dave Woods
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
President
Mary Boylan, MD
President
St. Luke's Regional Heart & Vascular Center
Chair
Joseph Haas
SVP of Private Wealth
Associated Bank
Members
Heather Baker, EdD
Principal
Dorothy Simon Elementary School/Winnebago CUSD #323
Tasha Blackmon
President & CEO
Cherry Health
Kim Bors
Senior Vice President
Chief Human Resources Officer
Dover Corporation
Mercedes Carnethon, PhD
Vice Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine and Mary Harris Thompson Professor of Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Gyasi Chisley
Managing Director
Head of Corporate Healthcare
PNC Bank
Monte Curnutt
Vice President, Corporate Development
Roche Diagnostics
Eileen Robertson Hamra
CEO
Fit Together, LLC
Karen Harbin
President & CEO
Commonwealth Credit Union
Delores Hargrove-Young
Vice Chairwoman
d.e. Foxx & Associates, Inc.
Linda Imonti
Managing Partner
KMPG LLP
Retired
Joshua J. Joseph, MD
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Cathy O’Malley Kearney, JD
Executive Vice President
Head of Institutional Services
KeyBank
Devray Kirkland
Vice President
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Cardinal Health
Brett Kissela, MD, MS
Executive Vice-Dean
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Chief of Research Services
UC Health
Sharon Langshur
Research Project Coordinator
Northwestern Medicine
Karen Larimer, PhD ACNP-BC, FAHA, FPCNA
Director Clinical and Research Operations
Cardiosense
Keith Miller, MD, PhD, FACC
Cardiologist
Bryan Health
John Mongelluzzo
Managing Partner
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Howard O’Brien
Associate
Howard & O’Brien Executive Search
Karen Rieck
Vice President, Human Resources
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Lee Shapiro, JD
Managing Partner
7wire Ventures
John Walsh, DSc, MBA, FACHE
Louisville, Kentucky
Contact Us
Omaha, Nebraska
By Appointment Only:
9900 Nicholas St., Ste 200
Omaha, NE 68114
Phone: (402) 810-6870
Lincoln, Nebraska
Mail to Omaha office
Phone: (402) 875-7382
Heart and Stroke News
