FORT WORTH, June 24, 2026 — The American Heart Association announced its 2026 to 2027 Tarrant County Board of Directors during the annual Founders Day Celebration. The board brings together influential advocates and leaders who will help expand awareness and support for local efforts aimed at improving cardiovascular health across Tarrant County. 

The Association is implementing programs throughout the area like Libraries with Heart, CPR education and emergency response planning, and expanded funding to provide more automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in area patrol cars. The board, led by Board President Dr. Jainy Savla, cardiologist with Texas Health, and Board Chair Jaimeson Smith, private wealth manager with Creative Planning will guide the community engagement, fundraising, advocacy and education across Tarrant County that will help make this possible. 

“The American Heart Association’s mission has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Jainy Savla, board president. “I am honored to deepen my connection to this industry by serving alongside this exceptional group of leaders to ensure that every person in Tarrant County has access to, and awareness of, the resources that will help them live a longer, healthier life.” 

"As Chair, I am inspired by the passion of this Board," said Jaimeson Smith. "Together we represent a diverse set of industries, expertise and connections to this cause and are extremely unified in our commitment to advancing the health and wellness of our community." 

The 2026 to 2027 Tarrant County Board of Directors includes: 

  • Jaimeson Smith, private wealth manager, Creative Planning, board chair 

  • Jainy Savla, MD, cardiologist, Texas Health, board president 

  • Michele Reynolds, nonprofit advocate; giving society ambassador 

  • Jimmy Kinley, CEO, Kinley Construction; leadership development chair 

  • Hatice Dalton, managing director, Deloitte; Nation of Lifesavers co-chair 

  • Matt Zavadsky, chief strategic integration officer, PWW | AG; Nation of Lifesavers co-chair 

  • Anas Alomar, MD, medical director of cardiology, Methodist Southlake 

  • Theodore Aquino, DO, founder and principal, Executive Medical Consulting 

  • Tyler Bloomer, MD, cardiologist, Texas Health 

  • Debbie Gillespie, Ed.D., associate professor, UNT Health 

  • Sreenivas Gudimetla, MD, cardiologist, Texas Health 

  • Joe Harrington, Ed.D., superintendent, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD 

  • Melissa Huffman, vice president, Omni Group 

  • Penny Johnson, CEO and president, Texas Health Huguley 

  • Karen Love, president, Cook Children’s Health Plan 

  • Monika Mathur, MD, chief medical officer, Texas Health Alliance 

  • Evan Robinson, Ph.D., dean and professor, UNT Health 

  • Staci Sullivan, managing director, Charles Schwab 

  • French Thompson, general director, BNSF 

  • Taleb Vadel, head of services and operations, Fidelity Charitable 

  • Melissa Witbeck, head of wealth management, Vanguard 

  • Kristin Whitley Smith, president, Mooring USA 

  • Dahlia Hassani Yasar, MD, president, Beacon Emergency Services 

Together, this influential group will advance key priorities including expanding CPR training, increasing access to AEDs, improving maternal and heart health outcomes and supporting research that saves and improves lives. 

The Nation of Lifesavers is a goal of the American Heart Association to double the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest by 2030. The initiative aims to turn bystanders into lifesavers by ensuring that anyone, anywhere, is prepared to act when a cardiac emergency occurs. As part of these efforts, the American Heart Association teams in Dallas and Tarrant County have impacted over 1.5 million people across North Texas with CPR awareness, education, and training. The teams also helped place AEDs in many community spaces, strengthening survival rates from cardiac arrest.  

In Tarrant County, the American Heart Association leads the local Nation of Lifesavers movement, funds groundbreaking research, advocates for policies that improve public health and collaborates with companies and schools to build a culture of wellness. 

For more information about the American Heart Association’s work in the metroplex or to connect with the board, please contact Meagan Hemenway, Executive Director, at Meagan.Hemenway@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. 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: 

Lindsey Lyons Jones  

Lindsey.LyonsJones@Heart.org  

Phone: 214-441-4114 

Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) 

heart.org and stroke.org