American Heart Association logoAmerican Heart Association

Florida

A relentless force for longer, healthier lives in Florida.

Florida

Hispanic Serving Institution Scholars program in Miami

2023-2024 Hispanic Serving Institution Scholars

The American Heart Association Scholars at Hispanic Serving Institution (HSIs) program serves as a pipeline for diverse researchers and health care professionals by providing undergraduate students with academic and career-enriching resources, including scholarships and mentoring. We recently celebrated the future generations of Hispanic leaders at our HSI Miami Program Kickoff for the class of 2023-2024.

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Hispanic Serving Institution Scholars!

Libraries with Heart

Libraries with Heart

The American Heart Association has launched Libraries with Heart with the Orange County Library System. Through this program, patrons can check out a blood pressure kit containing a blood pressure monitor, basic heart health literature, blood pressure logs to track measurements, and information about local healthcare providers that serve underinsured and uninsured individuals. 

Produce Rx in Palm Beach

Produce Rx in Palm Beach

Women in Riviera Beach, Fla. have new access to the fruits and vegetables that can help fight chronic disease thanks to our Produce Rx program! Residents who go to the Foundcare or Integrated Health Care System clinic and are at risk for heart disease can get FREE fruit and vegetable deliveries. Just ask about the American Heart Association’s “Produce Prescription” program when you go in for your check-up.

YOUR GIFT NOW MATCHED $-for-$!

Don’t miss this chance to make 2X the difference! When you share your heart with a gift now, it will be MATCHED to help save more lives.

Couple making hearts with their hands in the snow

Events in Your Area

Lee County Heart Walk

Location: Centennial Park

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023 - 08:00 AM

Learn More

69th Annual Palm Beach Heart Ball

Location: The Breakers Palm Beach

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024 - 06:30 PM

Learn More

Broward Heart Walk

Location: Nova Southeastern University

Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024 - 09:00 AM

Register

Marion Go Red for Women

Location: Hilton Ocala

Date: Friday, March 22, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Learn More

Gainesville Heart Ball

Location: Holloway Touchdown Terrance at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 - 06:00 PM

Learn More

In Your Community

The American Heart Association is committed to driving equitable health impact in Florida 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 Florida citizens while saving and improving countless lives.

Throughout the state of Florida, 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.

Community

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 Florida citizens build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Our efforts in Florida and its communities are focused on the following policy areas: Tobacco and Vaping, Access to Care, Medicaid Expansion, and Hypertension Prevention and Control.

Board Chairperson
Heather Havericak

Broward Health Medical Center / Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital

Board President
Marcus St. John, M.D. FACC, FSCAI

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Baptist Health South Florida

Leadership Development Chair
Kristen Daniels

HCA Healthcare – East Florida Division

Chair-Elect
Lawrence Franchetti
One Beat Medical and Training

President-Elect
Farzanna S. Haffizulla, M.D., MACP FAMWA

Society Ambassador
John Stetson

John & Tarra Stetson Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Kiran C. Patel
College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU KPCOM)

Members

Pamela Africk
BestPractices USA, Inc.

Alex Almazan
Almazan Law 

Negar Asdaghi, M.D., MSc, FRCPC
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine 

Melanie Evans
Kindred Hospitals

Frank Fernandez
Blue Prints 4 Safety

Lawrence Franchetti
One Beat Medical 

Farzanna S. Haffizulla, M.D., FACP FAMWA
Nova Southeastern University

Gregory Holness
Retired Chief of the Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue

Dr. Francesco Iacona
Schiller Americas Inc.

Andrea Iglesias
Urban Health Partnerships

Andrew Koenig
CITY Furniture

Cindy Jackson
Florida Blue

Dionne Polite
AARP

Jose Romano
Baptist Health South Florida

Dr. Scott Ross
Cleveland Clinic Florida

Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros
Baptist Health Medical Group

Svetlana B. Shugh, MD, FAAP
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Heart Institute

Caitlin Stella, MPH
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Pediatric Services

Valerie Wanza, Ph.D.
Broward County Public Schools

Isis Zambrana
Immediate Past President

Jackson Health System

Greater Miami - Ft. Lauderdale Event Chairs

Perry Ann Reed and Dr. Redmond Burke
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
2023 Miami-Dade Heart Walk Chair

David Wagner
Florida Blue
2024 Broward Heart Walk Chair

Andrew and Deana Koenig
CITY Furniture
2024 South Florida Heart Ball Chairs

Kathy Salerno
Broward Health
2024 South Florida Go Red for Women Co-Chairperson

Ana VeigaMilton
Jose Milton Foundation
2024 South Florida Go Red for Women Co-Chairperson


Board Chairperson
Elana Schrader, MD
Guidewell/Florida Blue

Board President
Fred Kusumoto, MD

Mayo Clinic of Florida

Members

Ricardo A. Hanel, MD, PhD
Baptist Health System

Douglas M. Baer
Brooks Rehabilitation Center

Mark Bennett
Bank of America

Tom Van Berkel
The Main Street America Group

Christina Clohecy
Newfold Digital

Kara Hill
FIS

Yazan Khatib
First Coast Cardiovascular Institute

Dana Kriznar, PhD
Duval County Public Schools

Mark Lamping
Jacksonville Jaguars

Charu Raheja, PhD
TriageLogic

June Scarlett
White Plains Hospital

Christine “Chris” Smith
Baptist Health System

David M. Szymanski, PhD
UNF MedNexus

Russ Thomas
Chief Executive Office
Availity
2023 Jacksonville Heart Walk Chair

Elizabeth Thompson
Intuitive Quest, LLC

Scott Wooten, FACHE
Past Board Chairperson
S Morris Wooten LLC

Jacksonville Event Chairs

Bruce Lowthers
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
Paysafe
2023 First Coast Heart Ball

Christina Clohecy
Chief Financial Officer
NewFold Digital
2023 First Coast Go Red for Women


Board Chairperson
Jon Reitz

Walgreens

Board President
Linus Wodi, MD

AdventHealth 

Immediate Past Chair
Jayne Willis

University of Central Florida

Immediate Past President
Ankur Garg, MD

Orlando Neurosurgery

Trey Abshier
HCA Healthcare Florida

Gul Dadlani, MD
Nemours Children’s Health

David Dominato
WKMG News 6

Vanessa Garner
CVS

Jake Kirchner
HCA Healthcare Florida

Dr. Swathy Kolli
Orlando Health Heart Institute

Giorgina Pinedo-Rolon
GIO Communications

Samuel Stamps
C & S Companies

Maria Vazquez, PhD
Orange County Public Schools

Orlando Event Chairs

Kimberly Brown
AdventHealth
2023 Orlando Go Red for Women Chair

Brad Hillmon
AdventHealth
2023 Greater Orlando Heart Walk Chair

Dr. Marshall Cress and Dr. Arnaldo Velez
Orlando Health
2023 Orlando Heart Ball Chairs


Board Chairperson
Grasford W. Smith

Akerman LLP

Board President
Fontaine Timmer, DNP

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Immediate Past Board President
Anita Wilborn, MD

Tenet Physician Services

Leadership Development Chair
Roger Duncan, MD

Palms West Hospital

Members

Alina Alonso, MD
Retired, Florida Department of Health - Palm Beach County

Teresita Casanova, MD
Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches

Darcy Davis
Health Care District of Palm Beach County

Rebecca Doane, J.D., CPA
Doane & Doane, P.A.

John A. Domenico
Bank of America – Private Bank

Hilda Gonzalez
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

Michele Jacobs
Economic Council of Palm Beach County

Trey Mahoney
UBS Financial Services 

Dawn Nichols
NextEra Energy, Inc.

Shana D. Peterson Sheptak
PNC Bank

Erica Whitfield
School District of Palm Beach County

Palm Beach Event Chairs

Pam Rauch
Florida Power & Light Company
2024 Palm Beach County Go Red for Women Chairperson

Scott Hurd
TBC Corporation
2023 Palm Beach County Heart Walk Chairman


Board Chairperson
PJ Bimonte
Arthrex

Board President
Eric Eason, MD.
Lee Health

Members

Dr. Mazen Albaghdadi
NCH Healthcare System

Pam Calligaro
Philanthropist

Commander Jamie Cunningham
CCSO

Tracy Duhaney
The Amboseli Group

Michelle Fitzgerald
Encompass Health

Jason Grabowski
B&I Contractors 

Phil Loiacano
Key Private Bank

Tommy Mann
Florida Southwestern State College

Shadreka McIntosh
Sozo Pharmacy

Ben Siegel
LCPA

Stephanie Wardein
Lee Health

Southwest Florida Event Chairs

Tyler Kitson
Communities, Kitson & Partners
2023 Southwest FL Heart Ball Chair

Heather & Jamie Dockweiler
2023 Collier County Heart Walk Co-Chairs

Adam Stachurski
Scotlynn
2023 Lee County Heart Walk Chairperson

Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser
Lee Health
2024 Southwest Florida Heart Ball Chairperson

Stephanie Wardein and Dr. Malissa Woods
Lee Health
2024 Southwest Florida Go Red for Women Co-Chairs


Board Chairperson
Kye Mitchell

Kforce

Board President
Lucila Ramiro, MD

Community Leader

Leadership Development Chair
Artemis Emslie

Cadence Rx

Health Equity Committee Chair
Dr. Kevin Sneed

University of South Florida

Bruce Bergherm
AdventHealth West Florida

Ravi Chari, MD
HCA West Division

Addison Davis
Hillsborough County Public Schools

Tash Elwyn
Raymond James & Associates

Kimberly Guy
St. Joseph’s Hospital, BayCare Health System

Connor Lewis
Ryan Companies

Guilherme Oliveira, MD
University of South Florida, Tampa General Hospital

Danny Persau
MidFlorida Armored

Debbie Rinde-Hoffman, MD
Tampa General Medical Group

Robert Sanchez, MD
HCA Physician Services Group

Chuck Sykes
Skykes

Jim Thompson, MD
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Trey Traviesa
Fort Brooke Merchant Partners

Tampa Event Chairs

Amanda Stevens
Raymond James Bank
2023 Tampa Go Red for Women Chair

Danny Persaud
MidFlorida Armored & ATM Services
2023 Tampa Heart Ball Chair

Archie Collins
TECO
2023 Tampa Heart Walk Chair


Live Fierce City Champions

We’re calling on everyone everywhere to help us address the continuing threat of heart disease and stroke by helping our communities to Live Fierce! Live Fierce is the American Heart Association’s bold approach to driving equitable health impact in our communities.

Live Fierce

Contact Us

Greater Miami/Fort Lauderdale

4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 170N
Hollywood, FL 33021

954-364-5000

Jacksonville (First Coast)

7751 Baymeadows Rd East, Suite 106E/F
Jacksonville, FL 32256

904-903-5205

Orlando

Mail-Only
5224 W State Road 46 #403
Sanford, FL 32771-9230

407-481-6300

Palm Beach

2300 Centrepark W Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33409

800-257-6941

Southwest Florida

9200 Estero Park Commons Boulevard, Suite. 7
Estero, FL 33928

239-495-4914

Tampa Bay

11207 Blue Heron Boulevard North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716

727-563-8000

Florida Communities (Alachua County, Brevard County, Charlotte County, Marion County, Polk County, Suncoast, Volusia County)

Mail-Only
4708 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909

North Florida Communities (Northwest Florida, Okaloosa County, Tallahassee)

Mail-Only
10 Veterans Memorial
Metairie, LA 70005

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Heart and Stroke News

Find science-based stories about heart and brain health and inspiring survivor profiles from American Heart Association News.