American Heart Association: 2023-2024 Community Impact Report
MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM
At the American Heart Association, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a longer healthier life. For 100 years, it’s been our mission to fulfill that vision. Working alongside a global family of volunteers, donors and advocates, we are transforming the way the world understands, treats and prevents cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
With bold hearts, we now forge ahead into our Second Century, fueling science and innovation, funding lifesaving research and boldly standing for the rights of patients and caregivers, to empower healthier communities and transcend the way we live, work and play. This relentless pursuit will continue until heart disease and stroke are the stories of our past and not of our future. Because a world with equitable health and well-being fuels a future that is yours to create. Join us in this critical mission today.
With heartfelt thanks,
Kaitlyn Jarman Executive Director, Greater Charlotte Market
OUR FUTURE IS ABOUT IMPROVING YOURS
The American Heart Association’s centennial is a celebration of our achievements and our shared vision for a bold Second Century that exponentially advances heart and brain health.
As champions for health equity and with Bold Hearts™, we will continue to lead breakthroughs in science and technology and advocate for federal, state, and local policies that help people live longer, healthier lives.
We will continue to improve health care and work in communities through programs focused on blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol — and so much more.
But we are facing a major health challenge as we look to our Second Century: Many people across the country and right here in our community are not receiving equitable health care – or even the chance to live their healthiest lives.
The need for health equity is urgent. We are devoted to bold actions to remove barriers to health equity, and we hope you will join us in continuing our lifesaving legacy.
Together, we can build a Second Century where every person has the opportunity to be healthy.
AHA Team Erin Link Senior Vice President, Southeast
The backdrop of all our 2024 events has been the 100 years Bold Hearts Centennial celebration.
OUR IMPACT
In 2023-24, the impact of the American Heart Association across North Carolina included working to address cardiac emergency preparedness, nutrition security, hypertension management, tobacco and vaping epidemic, and health equity across the Greater Charlotte community.
500,000
Greater Charlotte residents impacted through community and clinical efforts.
Currently, the American Heart Association is funding 71 active research awards in NC totaling $17.8 million.
19 hospitals in Charlotte Metro participate in one or more of our Get With The Guidelines® programs, demonstrating a commitment to quality healthcare for patients.
organic social media engagements OVER 59,000
50,000+
people educated in Hands-Only CPR.
CELEBRATING
100 years of scientific discovery,
6 HBCU Scholars Program participants at HBCUs in North Carolina.
4 partnering clinics are improving blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes for thousands of patients through our suite of outpatient programs.
100 quality and diverse media placements
SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED
to expand access to acute stroke care by updating H600 NC statutes concerning stroke regulation. NC General Assembly eliminated the reduced-price lunch co-pay for students by appropriating $3 million in recurring funding impacting over 63,000 students giving them access to a free lunch and breakfast. In 2024, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services implemented a Self-Monitored Blood Pressure program for Medicaid participants through Telehealth services.
$7.8 million raised in Greater Charlotte to fund the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association.
7.8 million raised in Greater Charlotte to fund the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association.
1920 - 1940 S S
1924 – The American Heart Association is born
Six physicians form the American Heart Association as a scientific society.
1925 – Scientific Sessions debuts
The Association holds first Scientific Sessions, the largest cardiovascular meeting in the U.S. and a leading international destination.
1926 – Criteria for detecting heart disease established
The AHA approves a Nomenclature for Cardiac Diagnosis, which is published in the American Heart Journal. Within two years, the first edition of “Criteria for the Classification and Diagnosis of Heart Disease” is published.
1948 – First funding for researchers
The Association awards its first research grant.
BUILDING A NATION OF LIFESAVERS
The first CPR machine was used in the early 1960s.
The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival of cardiac arrest by 2030. We know that to save more lives from the 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside of the hospital every year, we must increase the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR and using an AED as soon as it’s available.
Currently 90% of people who suffer out-ofhospital cardiac arrests die, in part because they do not receive CPR more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. We want to turn bystanders into lifesavers!
Hands-only CPR Demonstrations, Resources and AED Education
“Our community is more educated and safe because of you.”
–
Atrium Neonatal Progressive Care Nursery
175,000 lifesavers and growing!
Our local AHA team alongside partners like MEDIC have provided CPR demonstrations and Train-theTrainer events for our growing Nation of Lifesavers.
Nearly 70% of Americans feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency. Training and education is a core strategy to ensure anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link on the chain of survival. Throughout the year, the AHA has conducted Handsonly CPR demonstrations and provided resources and AED education that has impacted tens of thousands of community members. Through community presentations and the distribution of community, school, and infant CPR kits, we are turning a nation of bystanders into a Nation of Lifesavers.
Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) and Readiness
Through a detailed CERP, organizations can establish steps to reduce the risk of death from cardiac arrest in any setting — be it a school, community organization, workplace or sports facility. Subawards were provided to local organizations to ensure resource support for a robust cardiac emergency response plan which will impact over 120,000 community members.
Congratulations to the following organizations for completing a CERP plan:
Charlotte Family Housing Feed NC
Iredell-Statesville School System
Mooresville Graded School District
Promise Youth Development Weisiger Group
Wingate University
100 CPR Anytime Kits
150 Infant CPR Anytime Kits Distributed 1,541 Community CPR Kits
Providing education and resources to our corporate and community partners are an important part of ensuring cardiac preparedness.
COLLABORATION FOR EQUITABLE HEALTH (CFEH)
Powered by Bank of America, the American Heart Association®, the American Cancer Society®, the American Diabetes Association®, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health are specifically focused on the leading causes of death in communities of color — heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes — and improving health outcomes more broadly. The Collaboration for Equitable Health is a multi-year initiative with work tailored to meet the needs of each community.
Community health improvements are driven by our work with the following collaboration partners:
Mabel Chin, 3-yearold patient, after heart surgery, shown live on television, May 6, 1958.
“In just a single year, the collaboration has made significant strides in advancing health equity. Every partnership, grant, collaboration, community event is not just a step forward, but a testament to the momentum we’re building towards a healthier, more equitable future.”
– Tchernavia Montgomery Executive Director of Care Ring
100 Black Men of Charlotte Alliance Health
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Atrium Health
Black Nurses Rock of Greater Charlotte
Block Love
Care Ring
Charlotte Community Health Clinic
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For the Struggle
Global 330 Health Equity
Hands and Feet Ministry
Health Care Justice North Carolina
Inlivian
International House of Metrolina
Johnson C. Smith University
Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Leading on Opportunity
LISC Charlotte
Nourish Up
Novant Health
Mecklenburg County Public Health
MedAssist
QC Cocoa BEANs RAO Health
Reimagining America
Renaissance West Community Initiative
Second Harvest
Sustain Charlotte
The C.W. Williams Community Health Center, Inc.
UNCC
United Way
West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition
AHA Community Health Equity Director Dr. Ashley Carmenia and her CFEH agency partners are leading the way to better access to care and improved health outcomes.
• Care Ring expanded their teambased care mobile unit efforts to include blood pressure screenings and referrals for patients to their clinic and/or community resources.
• Charlotte Community Health Clinic (CCHC) adopted a policy that requires clinical team employees to attend an annual BP training that includes measuring accurately
• Inlivian Life Coaches implemented community-based blood pressure screenings and Empowered to Serve Health Lessons for residents.
• Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance zone captains are integrating Empowered to Serve Health Lessons and area residents now have access to a communitybased blood pressure station.
• Care Ring implemented a measuring accurately BP training with their clinical team as part of their Nurse Family Partnership program that focuses on providing home visits to pregnant mothers and continues to provide visits until their babies reach three years of age.
Activate Advocate Access
CFEH’s Dr. Carmenia presented at Care Ring’s inaugural Black Maternal Health Conference regarding disparities found within heart-related conditions and how they impact Black maternal health.
Jamaal Smith, Community Advocacy Director participated in JCSU Health Fair on behalf of CFEH.
PARTNERING WITH PATIENTS: BLOOD PRESSURE MANAGEMENT
Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Many don’t even know they have it. The only way to know you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. A diagnosis of high blood pressure should be made by a health care professional. Learning to manage high blood pressure may mean taking medications in addition to making healthy lifestyle changes.
“I’m so glad you brought the blood pressure machine to our office. I had never checked my blood pressure previously so by taking it that day, you most likely helped saved my life. My blood pressure was extremely high, so I went to the doctor immediately and I’ve been on medication ever since. I appreciate you always looking out for the employees!”
– Ko Tang Cha-Moses Martin Starnes and Associates, CPAs
Educating the community on risk factors of high blood pressure and benefits of self-management is key to addressing the silent killer.
• Community Health Services of Union County (CHSUC) increased the use of evidence-based BP activities including strengthening staff knowledge as part of new hire orientation and biannual measuring accurately training with their entire clinical team utilizing Target: BP.
• LPL Financial implemented a blood pressure self-monitoring station for their 4,000 employees following the closure of their on-site health clinic.
• The inaugural North Carolina Hypertension Summit was hosted in April 2024. This statewide virtual summit reached over 300 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, community health workers, and other clinicians.
• Anson County Public Health Department established a Measuring Accurately protocol for their clinical team.
• Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance (LNA) implemented a community blood pressure station with referral in their neighborhood community center, for their 1,300 residents.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY:
Over 1/3 of adults have high blood pressure.
40% of those with high blood pressure have income levels less than $50K.
Through the Healthy Heart Ambassadors, we worked with the following partners in our regional Catawba Valley market to establish a community blood pressure screening, educate, and referral program impacting over 5,000 individuals at:
Catawba Valley Medical Center
Century Furniture
High Country Community Health Clinic Klingspor
Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs Watauga Dental
Embrace All Latino Voices and Harmony Health, PLLC Therapeutic Services implemented a selfmonitoring blood pressure station (SMBP) with referral for all residents they serve daily.
Bill Bixby, actor and television director best known for his role as Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk, has his blood pressure taken on air.
NAVIGATING NUTRITION SECURITY
The AHA established the Heart-Check Food Certification Program in the early 1990s to give consumers an easy, reliable way to identify foods that can be building blocks of a heart-healthy diet.
38% of Mecklenburg Hispanic adults report “worrying often” about lack of food.
Only 20% of a person’s health is shaped by access to quality health care, but where people live could cost them up to two decades of life. Factors such as education, family income and access to healthy foods have an impact on life expectancy for people in under-resourced communities across the United States. Our work around nutrition security is with organizations that see these challenges on a daily basis, but through corporate support we are finding potential solutions and offering a healthier future. AHA has supported the following community partners in addressing nutrition security:
• Heal Charlotte’s new facility features a market where the AHA supported the implementation of refrigeration units and EBT equipment so residents will have access to fresh produce, milk, eggs, and meat as well as the opportunity to enroll in SNAP benefits if needed.
• Nourish Up increased their capacity to provide fresh produce by installing new, larger refrigeration units through support from AHA in their newly renovated 90,000 square foot warehouse.
• Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) received a subaward from AHA to launch their new prenatal box initiative. Each of the 300 boxes contains 15 lbs. of nutritious items based on the dietary needs of expectant mothers and their developing infants. The boxes also include printed materials about WIC, NFS/SNAP, and other local food resources, so that mothers can continually access nutrition during and after pregnancy.
AHA supported Zealous Empowering Nurturer (ZEN) Founder, April Booker and team to build a new greenhouse that will build capacity and actively promote healthy eating to hundreds across Charlotte.
11% of North Carolinians — about 1.2 million people — are experiencing food insecurity.
“Facilitating the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Life nutrition education classes has been such a fun and unique experience. It has been so fulfilling educating the community on healthy eating, nutrition education and AHA recipes. Data results from the 2022 Mecklenburg County Community Health Assessment indicated that Chronic Disease Prevention was one of the top four priority health issues. With the Healthy for Life cooking demonstrations, I can connect with the community and emphasize healthy eating to reduce chronic disease rates.”
• The AHA provided two Healthy for Life Trainthe-Trainer sessions for 13 community partners to become Healthy for Life facilitators and to implement the educational lessons/ healthy cooking classes within their respective agencies. This educational resource will reach over 5,000 residents.
• Grier Heights Presbyterian Church purchased a commercial stove through AHA support
to be used for feeding members and the community, as well as a SMART Automated Irrigation System to expand an extensive community garden established in 2021 with Mecklenburg County Public Health.
• St. Paul Baptist Church purchased a new refrigerator/freezer unit for their on-site food pantry with support from AHA. In 2023, this pantry fed 4,335 people in our community.
Team Charlotte volunteered our time and assistance helping Feed NC to restock their food pantry.
– Aubrielle Wallace MPH, Health Equity Fellow, Mecklenburg County Public Health
TOBACCO AND VAPING END GAME
The AHA has been advocating for comprehensive smoke-free laws since the 1980s.
It may surprise you to learn that smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by two to four times. Also, women who smoke have a 25% higher risk of developing heart disease compared to men who smoke. And continuing to smoke throughout your life can shave off up to 12 years. So, despite beliefs to the contrary, smoking doesn’t just cause a risk for lung cancer.
Maybe you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping, or you’re urging family or friends to do the same. We want to help. We want to end tobacco and nicotine use for everyone to lower their risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s a goal we call the Tobacco Endgame.
and flavored tobacco.
Over 95% of all tobacco users start before the age of 21.
• AHA will co-lead the Tobacco-Free Multicultural Coalition Policy Committee. This coalition raises awareness on the harms of tobacco use to advance policies and services that support health equity and reduce tobacco disparities in our community.
• AHA is assisting with the youth campaign efforts in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County Public Health, and AHA pilot program, Adolescent Counseling &Treatment Intervention on Nicotine (ACTION),by empowering Olympic High School youth to educate their peers in the harms of vaping and normalize seeking help in quitting through this peer-led school campaign.
• AHA and Mecklenburg County Public Health updated the CMS Middle School, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Curriculum by reviewing and editing the vaping mind maps and educator guides.
AHA hosted our second-annual Virtual Vaping Conversation for over 130 parents, community partners, schools, and health professionals.
AHA staff Irini McCarthy and Shannon Emmanuel were awarded Shining Star awards from the Tobacco-Free Region 4 Coalition on their work with youth and Queens College going 100% tobacco-free.
The AHA and 79 other national public health groups voiced their full support for ending the sale of menthol
ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC POLICY
President Eisenhower supported the Heart Fund and the children born with congenital heart defects.
Over600,000 uninsured NC residents are now covered by the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion.
We advocate for public policies at the federal, state and local levels that support the Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Local Advocacy Allies:
Charlotte Department of Transportation
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council
Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition
For the Struggle, Inc.
Reimaging America Project
United Way
West Blvd. Neighborhood Coalition
Statewide Advocacy
• Updated Stroke Facility Designation –
The AHA strengthened statewide stroke systems of care by updating stroke facility designation.
• Medicaid Expansion – Medicaid expansion policy was passed in March, we continued to work to ensure the state budget would be passed and necessary funding included to enact the policy. NC Medicaid now covers thousands of people ages 19 through 64 years with higher incomes that may be able to get health care coverage through Medicaid even if they did not qualify before.
• Self-Monitored Blood Pressure – Through NCDHHS, North Carolina was one of the first states to include blood pressure cuffs to Medicaid coverage during the COVID pandemic. DHHS was receptive to adding the additional blood pressure cuff to the Durable Medical Equipment covered items policy.
• School Meals for All incremental funding –This work eliminates the reduced-price lunch copay in North Carolina. All students who qualify for reduced-price lunch will receive free lunch. This impacts more than 63,000 students receiving reduced-price lunch.
Federal Advocacy
DC “Hearts on the Hill” Day
• In May, AHA’s Advocacy team joined You’re The Cure volunteers, including several from NC, to urge Congress to swiftly pass lifesaving legislation that would extend access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), increase CPR training and enable the creation of cardiac emergency response plans in schools across the country.
• The Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research and Training in the Schools Act or HEARTS Act (H.R. 6829) and Access to AEDs Act (S. 1024) include provisions that would improve the chain of survival in elementary and secondary schools by authorizing a federal grant program to support CPR and AED training of students, staff and sports volunteers. It will also support the purchase of AEDs, related equipment and the development of cardiac emergency response plans, which can help reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings.
• The HEARTS Act received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which passed the bill unanimously in March 2024.
“I never imagined that my dedication to equitable health outcomes for heart disease and stroke would land me on Capitol Hill! The opportunity to share my story to North Carolina representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives was incredible. In order to make transformative and sustainable impact, you must first change the policies. My experience on Capitol Hill lobbying for the Access to AEDs and the HEARTS Acts allowed me the opportunity to use my voice in what I know will be a lifesaving change for all.”
– Erika Duncan COO, Business Support Executive, Bank of America
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE
Kids Heart Challenge, the American Heart Association’s fundraising and service-learning school program, provides lessons, tools and activities to support both mental and physical well-being for elementary students, families and staff.
More than 5,200 families participated in Kids Heart Challenge with over 3,540 students raising over $353,000 for the American Heart Association. Our program for heart health reached 73 schools with a total enrollment of 60,600 student families.
Woodland Heights Elementary in Mooresville, NC was recognized as the top Kids Heart Challenge fundraising school in the state and 14th in the southeast region.
The American Heart Association also had Kids Heart Challenge National and Local Ambassadors this school year. Aticus Grindstaff, a four-year-old from Spruce Pine, NC and Sophia Brownlee, a 13 year old from Mooresville, NC represented the Kids Heart Challenge program as inspiring heart survivors across the country, as well as across our state. Both were recognized at our region’s Heart Balls.
Under-resourced schools were equipped with resources and experiences that helped support students and families both physically and emotionally. Youth-related program support included:
• Leaders for a Resilient Generation impact over 400,000 families across the Southeast by providing heart-healthy education to underresourced schools.
• Recess Reboot provided nine schools in the Greater Charlotte area with equipment for their physical education programs. Over the past three years, this program has impacted over 16K+ students.
Recess Reboot provided equipment to Allenbrook and Westerly Hills. These schools combined have 1,300 students that were impacted by these donations.
CELEBRATING
100 years of scientific discovery,
innovation and lives saved.
1970 - 1990
S S
1976 – International Stroke Conference launches
The first International Stroke Conference is held in Dallas.
1995 – Is this food healthy? Check.
Heart-Check mark launches to help shoppers identify heart-healthy foods.
1998 – A new law is passed that focuses on women and their health
New law advances women’s health by efforts to improve research and screenings.
1999 – Elevating the fight against stroke
The American Stroke Association is formed.
Tony Dorsett, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Fame honoree leads by example at Jump Rope for Heart program in the 1980s.
S.T.E.M. GOES RED
In March, more than 100 middle school students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools attended the 3rd Annual STEM Goes Red Conference at Johnson C. Smith University. The girls heard from local mentors working in STEM fields, toured the JCSU campus, learned about careers in STEM and participated in Hands-only CPR demonstrations. The program draws from the Association’s strong legacy of science, education and discovery to help propel young women into rewarding careers in STEM.
Of 100 female students earning a bachelor’s degree, only three will work in a STEM job 10 years after graduation.
CELEBRATING
100 years of scientific discovery,
innovation and lives saved.
2000 – Setting CPR standards
Global CPR standards set for proper treatment of cardiac arrest emergencies.
2003 – Making stents more effective
FDA approves the first drug-coated stent to keep blocked arteries open.
2004 – The leading threat to women
The Go Red for Women® campaign launches, raising awareness that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer.
2011 – Schooling teens in CPR
Recommended mandatory CPR training for high school graduation.
2018 – Local challenges, local solutions
Social Impact Fund addresses social determinants of health.
WORKPLACE WELLNESS AND QUALITY PATIENT CARE
The Wellbeing Blueprint: Crafting a Resilient WorkLife Flow seminar in Hickory, NC, hosted by AHA and Live Well Catawba, with guest speaker Leah Marone, helped attendees navigate the delicate art of achieving work/life equilibrium, provided practical strategies for seamless transitions from the professional to the personal, stress reduction techniques, and finally, how to foster a resilient mindset and inspire a culture of well-being within a team.
Healthy Heart Ambassador Program in collaboration with Live Well Catawba continued to grow. Ambassadors from several local businesses joined with the AHA to reduce heart disease risk factors and incentivize a heart-healthy lifestyle for their employees. Participating companies were provided access to quarterly lunch and learns, health and wellness resources on topics such as Blood Pressure, Healthy Eating, Mental Wellness, Physical Activity, Brain Health, Know Your Numbers, Smoking Cessation, Diabetes and more. These ambassadors reached over 5,400 employees and literally saved lives in this community.
Greater Charlotte area companies completed the Well-being Works Better Scorecard for the Spring 2024 deadline. These companies were recognized for their focus to improve and advance workplace wellness: Atrium Health, Carolina Caring, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, KLINGSPOR Abrasives, Inc., Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A., and TIAA
40% of employees say that their job gets in the way of their health, and 61% say that working for a company that fosters healthy behaviors is important to them.
AHA partnered with Camino Health Center to facilitate another Promotores de Salud 6-week cohort. Those that participated will have the opportunity to continue their education as a certified Community Health Worker.
19 Charlotte Metro hospitals participated in one or more of the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines Quality Improvement programs.
16 Charlotte Metro hospitals are recognized through earning an achievement award in one or more of the AHA’s GWTG Quality Improvement programs.
AHA’s SE Regional SVP Erin Link and AHA Charlotte Board Member, Dr. Raynard Washington were honored at the Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 Awards. This welldeserved accomplishment is a testament to advancing health and hope for all in our community.
AHA was represented at a Charlotte Chamber Business Expo offering education and employee resources to local companies.
Business leaders and volunteers helped create this 1950s Heart Fund billboard.
HEART CHALLENGE
Everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthier and happier, and every company deserves to have a fully engaged workforce. Heart Challenge is a suite of initiatives (Heart Walk, CycleNation, and Field Day), designed to help employees find that connection and support a great cause. Led by 2023-24 Campaign Co-chairs Dan Soto of Ally, and Brian Weisker of Piedmont Natural Gas, the Heart Challenge engaged and inspired companies, individuals and community leaders to get active and live a heart healthy lifestyle.
Piedmont Natural Gas, a top 10 national Heart Walk company, raised over $400,000.
• Flagship Healthcare Properties hosted its annual Golf Tournament benefiting the American Heart Association with net proceeds hitting $50,000.
• 100 people attended Executives with Heart Kick-Off event hosted by Ally and Dan Soto, featuring a fireside chat with PGA golfer Brian Cooper around mental health.
• CycleNation Charlotte had over 20 Teams and 100 Riders at SPENGA South End in June for another successful event benefiting the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for stroke, heart and brain-centric research, prevention, and advocacy. CycleNation gives companies the opportunity to encourage employees to be physically active, promote employee engagement and raise funds for an important cause.
Harris Teeter, Flagship Healthcare Properties and Belk each hosted Field Days that brought employees together to participate in competitive, team-building events in support of the mission.
Go Red for Women celebrated 20 years of impact at our Greater Charlotte Go Red for Women Luncheon on April 12, 2024. Over 460 supporters, survivors and friends of heart attended the event at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown.
Led by Campaign Co-chairs Janice Dupre, Lowe’s, and Kimberly Moore-Wright, Truist, the campaign advanced strategies and solutions to ensure more equitable health outcomes for women within our community, celebrated integral community partners who help advance the mission of Go Red for Women, and honored our local survivors through heartfelt storytelling.
Since 2004, the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative, Go Red for Women, has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease. We are prepared to meet the evolving needs of women now, and at every age, every stage and every season of their lives as their trusted, relevant source for credible, equitable health solutions.
Pillars of the Go Red for Women Movement
Ensure all women are aware of their greatest health threat Help women take charge of their health Address inequities in access and quality of care Engage more women in STEM and research
Cardiovascular
The annual Circle of Red Photo Shoot was hosted by EY on October 18th , a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the impact that the Greater Charlotte Circle of Red and Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team has had over the years and the individuals who have helped make it possible. The event’s photos were featured in the February issue of Charlotte Magazine in a four-page spread increasing awareness around women’s heart health.
Our second annual Greater Charlotte National Wear Red Day Eve Celebration on February 1st was attended by approximately 100 supporters who had an opportunity to walk the red carpet, take in the views of the Charlotte skyline lit in red, and network with colleagues and friends. This event advances the mission of Go Red for Women with funds raised and creates excitement around Heart Month. A special thanks to Janice Dupré and the Lowe’s Tech Hub in South End for hosting.
HEART OF CHARLOTTE HEART BALL
Over 800 guests celebrated the collective impact the campaign has made on health equity within our community and specific focus areas addressing nutrition security, hypertension, youth programs and tobacco elimination strategies.
Since 1949, the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball has grown to over 190 events throughout the country raising more than $70 million per year to continue to drive the mission of the AHA!
The Heart of Charlotte takes the Heart Ball beyond the table into a year-round campaign, bringing the work of the American Heart Association to life. The campaign focus on the mission-critical work being done within our community and culminates with a black-tie celebration at the Heart Ball experience.
The 66th Annual Greater Charlotte Heart Ball was held on February 10, 2024, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Crown Ballroom. Led by Campaign Co-chairs Melany and Vicente Reynal of Ingersoll Rand, the campaign:
• Recognized integral community partners who help advance the mission of the AHA such as our 2024 Heart of Gold Recipient, Tchernavia Montgomery, MSW, LCSW, CEO of Care Ring.
• Honored the 2023 Leaders of Impact nominees that engaged in a 7-week fundraising challenge with special recognition to our 2024 Leaders of Impact Winner, Carolyn Koontz with Nucor.
• Celebrated local heart survivor, Aticus (age 4) who was born with Shone’s Complex, a rare disorder that affects the left side of the heart.
HEART OF CATAWBA VALLEY HEART BALL
Led by Campaign Chair Dr. Philip Greene of Frye Regional Medical Center, the Heart of Catawba Valley brought together leaders, supporters and advocates within the community to advance the mission of the American Heart Association. Over 250 attendees celebrated on February 17th at Catawba Valley Heart Ball held at The Crossing at Hollar Mill.
Highlights from the campaign include:
• Growing the Healthy Heart Ambassadors in collaboration with Live Well Catawba. Ambassadors from several local businesses joined with the AHA to reduce heart disease risk factors and incentivize a heart-healthy lifestyle for their employees.
• Hosting the second annual Catawba Valley Field Day where several companies and community groups joined together for a day of teambuilding and physical activity to promote well-being in the workplace.
• Recognizing our Kids HeART Poster Contest winner from Mountain View Elementary in Morganton.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
HEART OF IREDELL COUNTY HEART
BALL
Led by Campaign Chair Randy Marion, the Heart of Iredell County advanced the mission of the American Heart Association by focusing on sustainable strategies and solutions to better the health of our local community members.
The 49th Iredell County Heart Ball took place on February 24th at Charles Mack Citizen Center and celebrated the impact, accomplishments and life-giving strategies from the year-long campaign including:
• Advancing Nation of Lifesavers initiatives through local school systems by the distribution of CPR resources, AED support and the implementation of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs).
• Continuing community conversations around nutrition security through Healthy for Life educational classes and programming.
• Ensuring every person has the opportunity for a full, healthy life by advancing cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.
FY 2023–2024 GREATER CHARLOTTE LEADERS
CHAIRMAN
GARY MICHEL
Independent Director, Author and Former CEO
GREATER CHARLOTTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
SHERRY SAXONHOUSE, MD
Director of AF Center of Excellence, Adult Cardiac Electrophysiology, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
NEAL BLINDE
President, Commercial Banking, Capital One
MEMBERS
SANDY CHARLES, MD
Medical Director, Novant Health Women’s Heart & Vascular Center
DENISE COLEMAN
Chief of Staff, Norsan Media
LE ROY DAVIS
ERIKA DUNCAN
COO Business Support Executive, Bank of America
MIKE DESMOND
National Audit Industry & Growth Leader, Charlotte Office, Grant Thornton
JAMIE ERGLE
Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
SHAINA HALL
Chief Human Resources Officer, Belk
LYNN HANSEN
President, Crowder
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
STACY GRAY
SVP, General Counsel & Secretary, Weisiger Group
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
SIDNEY FLETCHER, MD
SVP & Chief Clinical Officer, Novant Health
TY JEFFERS
VP, Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain, SPX FLOW
DAVID LEGRAND Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
NANCY MCNELIS
CHUCK MUNN
Vice President of Operations – Special Projects, Harris Teeter
AMY ROBERTS
JERRY A. SAUNDERS, MD, Ph.D. Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Amity Medical Group
DAN SOTO
Chief Compliance Officer, Ally Financial
RAYNARD WASHINGTON, Ph.D. Public Health Director, Mecklenburg County
ANGELA YOCHEM
Global Chief Information Officer, Krispy Kreme
THANK YOU TO OUR LEADERS
FY 2023–2024 GREATER CHARLOTTE LEADERS
CHARLOTTE LEADERS WITH REGIONAL AND/OR NATIONAL AHA ROLES
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NATIONAL BOARD
BERTRAM SCOTT
Retired, SVP of Population Health, Novant Health
CEO ROUND TABLE
CO-CHAIRMAN: BRIAN MOYNIHAN Chairman & CEO, Bank of America
MEMBER: MARVIN ELLISON
President & CEO, Lowe’s Corporation, Inc.
CORPORATE OPERATIONS COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEMBER & GO RED FOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER
CHRISTINE KATZIFF
CHRIS WILLIAM Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors
PVD COUNCIL VICE CHAIR
ESTHER S.H. KIM, MD, MPH, RPVI
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
SOUTHEAST BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: SANDRA BURKE, PhD, FAHA
Retired Cardiovascular Research Scientist
MEMBER: CARL ARMATO
Chief Executive Officer, Novant Health
MEMBER: GARY MICHEL
Board Chair, Independent Director and former Chief Executive Officer, JELD-WEN
HEART OF CHARLOTTE HEART BALL 2024
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
MELANY & VICENTE REYNAL, Ingersoll Rand
IMMEDIATE PAST CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
KIM & LEON TOPALIAN, Nucor
EXECUTIVE TEAM
JEFF BRIGHTON, EY
PAUL CAMUTI, Trane Technologies
SARA DULSKI, MSC Industrial Supply Co.
ELIZABETH HEPDING, Ingersoll Rand
CHARLOTTE & DAN JACOBS, Barings & JELD-WEN, Inc.
KATE KEENE, Ingersoll Rand
VIKRAM KINI, Ingersoll Rand
RYAN KRAHL, Service Logic
RALPH LOPEZ MASSAS, American Airlines
CHRIS NEUBAUER, Ingersoll Rand
JOE PARADISE, KPMG
BEN & JOANNA PICKETT, Nucor
ANDY SCHIESL, Ingersoll Rand
RICK SMALL, Truist
FREDERICK WAITE, Modives
MIKE WEATHERRED, Ingersoll Rand
CAROLINE WRIGHT, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
THANK YOU TO OUR LEADERS
FY 2023–2024 GREATER CHARLOTTE LEADERS
2024 GO RED FOR WOMEN LEADERS
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
JANICE DUPRE, Lowe’s Corporation, Inc. | KIMBERLY MOORE-WRIGHT, Truist
CIRCLE OF RED CO-CHAIRS
LIA KEEL, North Highland | MATT REGER, EY
EXECUTIVE TEAM
JODIE AYRES, Fifth Third Bank
BHAVANA BARTHOLF, Community Volunteer
DREW CAWTHORNE, EY
ERIKA DUNCAN, Bank of America
AMBER FENCL, Community Volunteer
SAMANTHA FERRIE, North Highland
JULIE HARRIS, Bank of America
JILL JACOBSON, Electrolux
KAYCEE KALPIN, Premier Inc.
LEXI LUTZ, Nordstrom
VAISHALI MILLER, Ingersoll Rand
THERESA PAYTON, Fortalice
JENNIFER REILLY, MassMutual
ROCHELLE RIVAS, Rivas Family Foundation
KATE SASSI, Embark
VANESSA SENCHEREY, Atrium Health
MICHELLE TAYLOR, Trane Technologies
MEGAN TURNER, EY
ANGELA YOCHEM, Krispy Kreme
IMMEDIATE PAST CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
SHEILA JORDAN, Honeywell
HEART CHALLENGE 2023
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
DAN SOTO, Ally Financial
BRIAN WEISKER, Piedmont Natural Gas
IMMEDIATE PAST CAMPAIGN CHAIR
CINDY NOBLE, Compass Group
EXECUTIVE TEAM
MATT ARNOLD, Ally Financial
KEN BERNARDO, Truist
LYNN HANSEN, Crowder Constructors
BOBBY HOLMES, SEI
KATIE JOHAR, EY
DR. ESTHER KIM, Atrium Health
WILL LANGE, Honeywell
MATT LECKRONE, Compass Group
CHRIS LITTLE, Hendrick Automotive Group
JOSH PITTMAN, Grant Thornton
JOE SHULL, Flagship Healthcare Properties
JASON SIMON, Charlotte Hornets
HEART CHALLENGE 2024
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
JOHN WALDRON
BRIAN WEISKER, Piedmont Natural Gas
IMMEDIATE PAST CAMPAIGN CHAIR
DAN SOTO, Ally Financial
EXECUTIVE TEAM
MARK CASE, Truist
BOBBY HOLMES, SEI
KATIE JOHAR, EY
WILL LANGE, Honeywell
MATT LECKRONE, Compass Group
JOSH PITTMAN, Grant Thornton
BLAKE MARTIN
JOE SHULL, Flagship Healthcare Properties
JASON SIMON, Charlotte Hornets
EVAN SYNSTAD, Gilbane
MATT WIETHOFF, Ally Financial
2024 GREATER CHARLOTTE MEMBERS
HEART & TORCH CIRCLE
BERTRAM L. SCOTT
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
ANN P. BABCOCK & FAMILY
ELIZABETH & DR. BRUCE COHEN
CHRISTY & OTIS CROWDER
KAREN & ROGER HENDRIX
JULIE & BOB LACKEY
BETTY & RANDY MARION
MELANY & VICENTE REYNAL
DIANE & TOM TAYLOR
KIM & LEON TOPALIAN
KELLY & FREDERICK WAITE
PACESETTER’S CIRCLE
MARY & MIKE LAMACH
JODI & GARY MICHEL
DONNA & AL DE MOLINA
PULSE CIRCLE
CHAMPION’S CIRCLE
Van Knick
Julia Allen
Duke Almon
Dr. Yele Aluko &
Dr. Shirley Houston-Aluko
Christi & Carl Armato
Mary Lee & Matthew Arnold
Pamela & Michael Austin
Marcia Avedon & Charlie Farrar
Roya Behnia
Allen Behr
Tracey & Ken Bernardo
Morgan Best
Alexis & Justin Blackford
Jessica & Neal Blinde
Wendi & Dave Boddy
Carrie & Jeff Brighton
Heath Broadway
Sandra Burke, PhD & Charles Brown
Linda & Mark Cagley
Kelly & Paul Camuti
Barbara & Bill Christensen
Tim Condron
Brendalyn & Charles Connor
Sheryl & Keith Craun
Vani & Tim Craven
Latonya Croney
Sukai Crook
Wayea & Le Roy Davis
Tammy & Matt DeBoer
Daniel DiMicco
Erika & Doug Duncan
Janice Dupre
Daniel Eller
Jamie & Harvey Ergle
Tiffany Eubanks-Saunders
Amber & Stefan Fencl
Jeanine & Tim Flanagan
Regina Fleenor
Tacy Foster
Sandy & Bob Fotsch
Dr. Kulleni Gebreyes
Erik Gershwind
Libby & Ben Goins
Anna & Zachary Gordon
Steve Grandfield
Cindy & Curt Grantham
Stacy & Brett Gray
Renee & Dr. Philip Greene
Paul Guilfoyle
Shaina Hall
Emily & Noah Hanners
Lynn & Jeff Hansen
Tiffany Finch-Harrell & Timothy Harrell
Julie & Craig Harris
Chris Hart
Rasha Hasaneen
Rene & Danny Hellams
Melanie & DJ Heller
Deborah & Mark Henkels
Elizabeth & Bob Hepding
Susan & Dave Hetzler
Hannah & Montana Hudgens
Tami Hudson
Jodi Hunt
Charlotte & Dan Jacobs
Johnny E. Jacobs
Mike Johnson
Yolanda Johnson
Sheila & Philip Jordan
Omar Jorge
Donna Julian
Kaycee Kalpin
Lia & Todd Keel
Kate & Chad Keene
Ryan Keith
Amy & Patrick Kochan
Jennifer & Ryan Krahl
Liz & Chris Kuehn
Sharon Kugelmass
Kipper & Robb Lackey William Lange
Laurenti
Lindsey & Andy Lawhon
Niki & Matt Leckrone Kennedy Levins Peter Levinson Lanette & Kevin Lilly Robin Pappas & John Link
SECOND CENTURY SUPPORTERS
Reaching the Association’s bold goals is made possible because of like-minded individuals and organizations who share in the vision of better health for Charlotte. There are 25 Charlotte area donors and supporters the Second Century campaign including:
