ANN ARBOR, AUG. 20, 2024— As the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives, celebrates its centennial year, Dr. Kim Eagle, Director of the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center, has been named chair of this year’s Ann Arbor-Jackson Heart Ball. The Heart Ball celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s Heart of Ann Arbor campaign, a year-round effort aimed at saving and improving lives in Washtenaw County.

“Dr. Eagle exemplifies true leadership and commitment as a dedicated health care executive here in Ann Arbor and is the ideal person to head our Heart Ball campaign,” said Sara Hegarty, executive director of the American Heart Association Southeast Michigan.

“As a trusted member of this community, he understands the impact the mission and work of the American Heart Association can have on every person in our county. We welcome Dr. Eagle to the Heart of Ann Arbor, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives.”

Dr. Kim Eagle is the Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine and director of the U-M Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center. Dr. Eagle founded “Project Healthy Schools,” a school-based program to reduce childhood obesity and its long-term health risks. Focusing primarily on sixth grade students, Project Healthy Schools aims to stem the tide of the childhood obesity epidemic by teaching youth healthy habits, developing healthy school environments and creating an infrastructure that supports program sustainability and replication.

“I am extremely grateful to chair the Ann Arbor-Jackson Heart Ball on October 4 at Michigan Stadium’s Jack Roth Club,” said Dr. Eagle. “The American Heart Association has been a dominant force in our nation for 100 years, promoting heart health in our communities and the education of care providers and lay audiences. It has supported critical research programs that seek to offer prevention, earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments for all forms of heart disease. The University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center has been a proud partner of the American Heart Association for decades.”

Prior to his position at the University of Michigan, Dr. Eagle served Massachusetts General Hospital where he was promoted to associate director of clinical cardiology and associate professor of medicine at Harvard. At U-M, Dr. Eagle developed an outcomes research program focusing on quality, cost-effectiveness, practice guidelines, acute coronary syndromes, treatment of aortic diseases, the fight against childhood obesity and reuse of pacemakers in developing nations. This pacemaker program is known as “My Heart Your Heart.” His outcomes research team has led quality improvement initiatives across the state of Michigan in heart attack, heart failure and coronary intervention. Dr. Eagle has served the local and national American Heart Association and received the Association’s national Laennec Society’s Clinician Educator Award in 2013.

The 2024 Ann Arbor Heart Ball is locally sponsored by Michigan Medicine and will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at the University of Michigan Jack Roth Stadium Club and will be a celebration of the Association’s 100th year. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Association’s year-round efforts around driving change, funding science and improving behaviors. Throughout the evening the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Ann Arbor Heart Ball, visit http://www.heart.org/annarborjacksonheartball or contact Katie Langston at Katie.Langston@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 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 heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

 

For Media Inquiries:
Sarah Rood: Sarah.Rood@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org