LOWELL, Mass., May 14, 2026 — Teachers and staff at Lowell High School and Springfield Central High School now have access to new wellness resources—including blood pressure monitoring kits and stress-relief tools—through an American Heart Association initiative supported by Wellpoint.
The schools received educator wellness resources this spring designed to support both physical and mental well-being. Unveiling events were held at Springfield Central High School and Lowell High School to introduce the resources to faculty and staff.
The effort focuses on improving the day-to-day environment for educators by placing health resources directly in faculty spaces, where teachers and staff spend much of their time. Each school received blood pressure cuffs along with other wellness tools selected to meet the needs of its faculty, from stress-relief items to resources that encourage movement, rest and reflection.
The initiative comes at a time when educators nationwide are reporting high levels of stress and burnout. Research shows that supporting teacher well-being can improve job satisfaction, reduce attrition and create healthier school environments overall.[1]
“Educators spend long hours supporting others, often without time to focus on their own health,” said Karen Whitefield, executive director of the American Heart Association in Greater Boston. “By bringing these resources directly into schools, we’re making it easier for teachers and staff to check in on their physical and mental well-being during the workday. That’s good for educators, and it’s good for the communities they serve.”
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is a national leader in workforce health, providing evidence-based tools and resources that help organizations support employee well-being. Through this initiative, Wellpoint, a health benefits company and local sponsor of the 2026 Boston Heart Walk, is helping the Association extend those resources into school settings.
In addition to providing equipment, the American Heart Association worked with each school to introduce the resources and help staff understand how to use them, including proper blood pressure monitoring, a key step in preventing heart disease and stroke.
The program marks the first time this type of educator-focused wellness effort has been introduced by the American Heart Association in Massachusetts. The organization hopes it can serve as a model for future efforts to support educator health across the state and beyond.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Chris Camire:
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/08/28/back-to-school-how-teachers-can-ease-their-stress
