Boca Hospital presents “Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches” for second straight year
BOCA RATON — For the second consecutive year, the American Heart Association has announced that Boca Raton Regional Hospital is the local presenting sponsor of the annual Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches.
In this role, the hospital enters into a unique, year-long partnership with the American Heart Association and its lifesaving mission in any internal and external community education and outreach surrounding heart health.
The hospital, which had more than 700 employees and their family members participate in last year’s event, has been a longtime supporter of the American Heart Association, particularly with the inception of the hospital’s Christine E. Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute and renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. James Morris, medical director of the Institute.
“As seen by our continued recognition as a leader in the state of Florida for heart and vascular surgery, cardiology and stroke, it is evident that we share in the same commitment as the American Heart Association in building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke,” said Jerry Fedele, president and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “We are honored to be the local presenting sponsor of the Heart Walk for the second year in a row.”
The 2011 Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches will be held Saturday, October 1 at the Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach. As the signature community-wide event of the American Heart Association, each year the 5K (3.1 mile) walk draws together top corporate sponsors, community walk teams, individual walkers and survivors and families affected by heart disease and stroke.
In addition, the Heart Walk salutes those individuals who’ve made positive lifestyle changes to become more heart healthy through a modified diet and exercise regime. More than 12,000 participants hit the streets in support of the lifesaving cause at the 2010 Heart Walk, the most attendees in the event’s history, celebrating 20 years this year.
Funds raised will go toward research, education and community programs to combat heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 3 killers, respectively, of American men and women.
“It is through partnerships like ours that we can effectively combine clinical excellence, innovative research and meaningful public awareness against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killer diseases,” said James Morris, MD, Medical Director of the Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “It is our hope that through education and community involvement, we can improve and even reverse the statistics on heart disease.”
Activities at the Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches will get underway at 7 a.m. starting with a 5K run presented by Lawyers Have Heart, followed by a stage presentation and the Walk which begins at 9 a.m.
Dorothy Bradshaw and Al LaSorte and Matthew Chait of Shutts & Bown LLP are chairing the run. Today show host Natalie Morales will serve as the master of ceremonies. The Heart Walk is nationally presented by Subway.
For further information, visit www.palmbeachheartwalk.org or call 561-697-6626.
