Heart Disease Focus of Hadassah Event
STAFF REPORT
Greater Atlanta Hadassah presents “Women’s Heart Health” – a program dedicated to raising awareness, empowering women and saving lives – on Sun., Feb. 17, at 2:15 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom. In a special appearance announced in late January, Nancy Falchuk, the 24th Hadassah National President, will be speaking on a recent $10 million gift to fund a cardiac unit at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.
The generous donation of psychotherapist Irene Pollin, founder and chair of Sister to Sister (a 13-year-old organization devoted to preventing heart disease in women), will be used to create the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Institute.
Beyond this exciting news, attendees of “Women’s Heart Health” will also hear the facts about women and coronary heart disease in the United States, including how Georgia is ranked nationally. The program seeks to educate women on the signs and symptoms of a heart attack; also to be presented are ways to reduce the risk of developing this deadly disease and advances in heart disease diagnosis, treatment, research and advocacy through Hadassah.
Guests include keynote speaker Nanette Wenger, MD, Hadassah Life Member and professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine; and Marsha Hildebrand, RN and certified Take Shape for Life coach. Both women also proudly represent WomenHeart, a national patient-centered organization that focuses exclusively on women’s heart disease and provides education, support and hope to millions.
Wenger, a consultant to the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and recipient of the distinguished Achievement Award and Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award, has been recognized with the James E. Bruce Memorial Award of the American College of Physicians for Distinguished Contributions in Preventive Medicine, the AHA Physician of the Year Award and the designation of Georgia Woman of the Year for 2010.
“Coronary heart disease is the major health risk for American women,” said Wenger. “Women must know that favorable lifestyle changes can decrease cardiac risk factors and prevent cardiovascular and coronary disease. Show your heart you care!”
Hildebrand, also a Hadassah Life Member, is a WomenHeart Champion in addition to TSFL advocate.
“This is very personal to me,” said Hildebrand. “I am a woman at risk for having a heart attack. I started out wanting to educate and protect myself against what I thought was the inevitable…[but] I am not reacting to illness; I refuse to be a victim of my genetics!
“I inspire others to do the same. As a Hadassah Health Professional, I wanted to share what I learned about ‘Women and Heart Health and Wellness’ on a larger scale. My Hadassah sisters are working with me to make this happen.”
The upcoming program is free and open to the community. Early attendees can take part in a silent auction, with proceeds going to support heart health education and cardiac research. Refreshments will be served.
For more information or to RSVP, contact the Hadassah office at (678) 443-296 or hadassah.org/atlanta.
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