Community, medical and business leaders take on leadership role with American Heart Association Greater Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 — The American Heart Association Greater Los Angeles has a new volunteer leadership team that will help drive the Association’s vision of advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
Retired entertainment executive Ed Romano takes the helm as the board chairperson and cardiologist David Sato, MD, serves as the board president.
A longtime volunteer and supporter of the American Heart Association, Romano was the vice chairman of Warner Bros. Entertainment when he retired after nearly 52 years with the company. He is currently a consultant focused on philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. “I am honored to lead this highly dedicated team. As the American Heart Association begins its second century of impact, we are committed through innovative and impactful ways to support the dream of every person in Los Angeles to live healthier lives,” said Romano.
Sato, who has served in the medical field for more than 44 years, is the President of Providence Specialty Medical Group, which provides services to five Los Angeles area hospitals. “Our goal is to make a transformational impact on the health and well-being of our community, especially our under-resourced communities, and I am excited to work with such a dedicated group of volunteer leaders and staff,” said Dr. Sato.
Joining as new board members are Betsy Hart, chief executive officer of Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center and past chairperson of the Association’s Go Red for Women campaign; Elizabeth Haynes, former senior vice president of store operations, construction and customer service at Torrid who recently retired after a 40-year career in retail operations; Hans Ku, senior vice president of Product at Tubi and a tech industry leader who has been instrumental in various groundbreaking products and technologies; Amondo Redmond, a strategic marketing and corporate brand expert who has served as chief executive officer, chief marketing officer and head of marketing for global brands; and Americo Simonini, MD, a cardiologist with his own practice, Simonini Cardiology, and who has also been on staff at Cedars Sinai and UCLA Health. David Ross, investment advisor for the Ross Financial Group and past chairman of the board for the American Heart Association in Los Angeles, returns as Board Emeritus.
Continuing their board service are immediate past president Richard J. Shemin, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at UCLA Health; Richard Azar, chief operating officer at UCLA Health; Carolyn Kaloostian, MD, MPH, assistant professor of clinical family medicine and geriatrics at Keck Medicine of USC; Smitha Ravipudi, MPH, chief executive officer of USC Care and Ambulatory Care Services at Keck Medicine of USC; Perika Sampson, diversity and inclusion advocate and strategist; Kathryn Shirley, CPA, MBT, president of World Management Solutions, Inc.; and Elsa Valay-Paz, vice president of gas acquisition for SoCal Gas.
“We believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a full and healthy life,” said Linda Tsai, region senior vice president and senior executive director of Development and Community Health, American Heart Association Los Angeles. “I look forward to working with our new board leaders and members as we carry on the work of advancing health and hope for all and creating brighter tomorrows free from cardiovascular diseases.”
The American Heart Association’s priorities in Los Angeles include:
- Reducing uncontrolled high blood pressure. In LA County, more than 2 million people have uncontrolled high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Association works with clinics in under-resourced communities to increase access to care and improve hypertension control by training health care staff, promoting system changes and engaging patients in blood pressure self-monitoring. The goal by 2028 is to help 5% of Angelenos with hypertension get their blood pressure under control.
- Improving nutrition security. LA County is home to the largest number of food-insecure people in the country, affecting 1 in 5 individuals. The Association advocates for policies that increase access to healthy food, collaborates with local organizations to establish nutrition security screening and referrals for high need individuals, and provides nutrition education to promote health.
- Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in women. CVD is the leading cause of death among women in Los Angeles. Black women are three times more likely than any other race to die during or immediately after pregnancy due to societal barriers and systems that have harmed their health for decades. The Association’s goal is to decrease pregnancy-related cardiovascular deaths in LA County by 3% by 2028 through women-focused research investments and community outreach.
- Building a Nation of Lifesavers. Nine out of 10 people who have cardiac arrest outside a hospital die. The Association’s goal is to double the survival rate for cardiac arrest by 2030 and teach CPR and Hands-Only CPR to 1 million students and adults in Los Angeles.
- Accelerating innovative, lifesaving research. The Association funds the most meritorious
science anywhere for the greatest chance of saving lives everywhere and has invested more than $5.9 billion in heart and brain health research since 1949.
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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 a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and X or email us at LAvolunteers@heart.org.
For media inquiries, contact: Kristine Kelly, kristine.kelly@heart.org
