GREENSBORO, NC, May 24, 2023 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, announces that Rob Braiman, president and managing director of Cogent Analytics, and Goldie Byrd, Ph.D., executive director for the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, will serve as co-chairs for the Triad Heart Walk, a campaign aimed at saving and improving lives from heart disease and stroke.
As co-chairs of the Triad Heart Walk, Braiman and Byrd will lead, encourage and oversee employee health, corporate engagement, community health and community transformation within the Triad area. Together with a team of regional executives, they will engage local companies and organizations to take part in the Heart Walk, which will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Triad Park in Kernersville.
Through this initiative, companies and local organizations will work with the American Heart Association to improve community health while raising funds to support the Association’s 2024 Impact Goal to ensure every resident of the Triad has the opportunity to live a full and healthy life.
“I am honored to serve as a co-chair of the 2023 Triad Heart Walk,” said Braiman. “I am also passionate that Cogent Analytics is helping to increase the focus on Veterans’ heart health through this year’s Heart Walk in our community. I’m eager to work together with our outstanding team of volunteers and the American Heart Association as we all advocate to make a difference in the well-being of everyone throughout the Triad community.”
“I am honored to help lead this effort as I have devoted my career to advancing health care equity research, reducing health disparities and transforming the way health and wellness is delivered,” said Byrd, “In addition, our team at the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity is committed to building relationships that engage, educate and empower our communities to improve the quality of life for those in underserved communities.”
Heart disease and stroke are largely preventable and how you eat, move and manage stress impacts your well-being physically and mentally. Getting the recommended amount of physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of those activities per week) is linked to lower risk of diseases, stronger bones and muscles, improved mental health and cognitive function and lower risk of depression.[1]
Everyone is encouraged to register to participate in the Triad Heart Walk on Saturday, October 7 at Triad Park in Kernersville. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. and the walk will start at 11 a.m. with a three-mile route and a one-mile Survivor Loop. The theme of this year’s Heart Walk is “I Walk to Save Lives.” Heart disease and stroke impact people in very personal life-changing ways. Through the Heart Walk, participants are invited to express, share and be inspired by the reasons WHY they walk. This event is supported by our Be the Beat Sponsor, Cone Health, and Healthy for Good Sponsors, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and MedCost.
Register today at www.TriadHeartWalk.org to walk or form a team. For event questions, contact TriadNC@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Sarah Fedele: Sarah.Fedele@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.