On Saturday, February 25th, 2012 the American Heart Association (AHA) 14th Annual DC Heart Ball raised over $1 million dollars towards better cardiovascular care and research.
The black- tie event included a four-course dinner, performance by music group The Mustangs Band, as well as both silent and live auctions. Over 600 Virginia, DC, and Maryland private and public sector executives were in attendance. This year’s Heart Ball marks the third year CGI presented the American Heart Association’s Heart Heroes program and recipient awards.
“The Heart Heroes campaign resonates with all of us, as it highlights the connection between lifesaving medical advances, physicians’ skill and technology to save lives around the world,” said Cheryl Campbell, American Heart Association’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate and Senior Vice President of CGI. “These honorees represent the American Heart Association’s commitment not only to saving lives but also to the lifesaving treatments that allow our service members and the population at large to return to duty, their families and their lives.”
“Groundbreaking advances in cardiology as well as technology have helped us save more and more lives on and off the battlefield,” said Lieutenant General James Peake (U.S. Army Retired) M.D. “These Heart Heroes are helping break new ground in both military and civilian healthcare.”
WashingtonExec was a proud media sponsor of the 14th Annual DC Heart Ball.
The 2012 Heart Hero Honorees were:
Dr. Linda Huffer – Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army – Dr. Huffer currently serves as a Staff Cardiologist and as the Chief of the Cardiac Rhythm Device Clinic at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She has served in the military for thirteen years. In June 2010, Dr. Huffer deployed as a Theater Cardiology Consultant to Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Most recently she received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal for service during deployment.
Captain Kimberly French, United States Air Force – Captain French is an analyst for Head Quarters Air Force in the Greater Washington Area. She has served for six years. Two years ago, she began to suffer from intermittent heart palpitations and in spite of routine tests, doctors were unable to make a diagnosis. Captain French began to experience worsening symptoms that put her life and military career on hold. Upon seeing her, Dr. Linda Huffer recommended Captain French for an Electrophysiology clinic where, finally, she was diagnosed with atrial ventricular nodal reentry. An ablation procedure corrected the problem. Captain French is now back in action and will deploy this spring. An avid tri-athlete, she has gotten back to her training. Her ultimate goal is to compete in a full Iron Man in 2013.
Dr. Arthur J. Roberts – Dr. Roberts is a Columbia College graduate, and ex-NFL quarterback and a noted cardiac surgeon. A former Chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Boston University Medical Center, and a published author of over 110 scientific journal and book articles. Dr. Roberts has performed more than 4,000 open-heart surgeries and trained dozens of young doctors in cardiothoracic surgery. After retiring in 1997, Roberts founded the Living Heart Foundation, which has been in the vanguard for using mobile methods to screen patients for cardiovascular risks and to raise awareness about heart disease. In the weeks following the attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, the organization screened more than 2,000 emergency workers at the New York Police Academy.