Dear WomenHeart Community,
I’m delighted to be writing to you as the newly elected Board Chair of WomenHeart and share that Jerri Anne Johnson has been elected as Chair-Elect, and Gayathri Badrinath as Vice Chair. Jerri Anne and I both had long careers in the health industry, and believe we provide a diverse set of skills which makes us a strong team. Gayathri’s background is complimentary as it encompasses both healthcare and technology.
Even prior to engaging with WomenHeart in 2004, I dedicated my career to elevating the patient voice. Jerri Anne, while more clinically focused, concentrated her efforts on issues related to risk factors associated with pregnancy.
As we enter 2019, WomenHeart approaches its 20th anniversary, grateful and humbled by what we have accomplished. In 2018 our WomenHeart Champions hosted more than 400 community education events, provided nearly 5,500 hours of support network services, and made more than 1,300 visits to women in hospitals and cardiac rehabilitation programs. Through our community events, WomenHeart@Work presentations, Support Networks, etc., we touched over 100,000 women and men interested in women and heart disease.
Our efforts continue in 2019 beginning with Heart Month. Be sure to read the newsletter for a look at all of our upcoming activities. Feb. 4, we are launching our new website, with an exciting new look, refreshed brand and easier navigation. 2019 will bring a renewed focus on risk factors related to pregnancy, heart failure and peripheral artery disease (PAD). We are looking to grow our Sister to Sister Match program, enabling us to engage with heart patients in less populated areas or are unable to participate in local support groups.
In 2019 we are critically evaluating our work, focusing on how to strategically leverage our resources, while deepening the impact and expanding our reach. We continue to create new ways to digitally communicate and share our educational messages. I look forward to an exciting year for WomenHeart and to continuing this journey together.
Best regards,
Barbara Tombros