BCBSTX Employees Take Steps Toward Heart Health

BCBSTX Employees Take Steps Toward Heart Health

Since 2015, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has supported the American Heart Association Heart Walk to help save lives from the country's number one and five killers - heart disease and stroke. In 2024, more than 260 BCBSTX employees put on walking shoes, stepped up to promote the cause and have raised almost $94,000.

For Mary Jane Palaris, a BCBSTX condition management coordinator, the cause is personal. After her father, 65, died from heart disease, her life changed forever.

"When he passed away, it affected my personality at work as a critical care nurse," Palaris said. "It took me several months before I was able to assist patients in cardiac arrest without crying and thinking about my dad."

Heart disease touches most of her family. Her mother lives with heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. She and her brothers were diagnosed with hypertension and high cholesterol in their 30s and 40s. As a single parent, her fears weigh heavy.

Master Sgt. Eduardo Palaris with his granddaughter in 2005

"I was so scared thinking, 'Will I die early too like my dad? Then who will take care of my mom and my daughter?' This was the starting point," Palaris says. "Everyone deserves to spend more time with their family and their loved ones."

"It's a happy feeling knowing that I'm sure my dad is smiling from above with what I'm doing right now," she says. "Even if he's gone, I'm still doing the things that I need to do to help others."

It's a similar story for Dawn Trantham, a BCBSTX senior associate business partner.

"My mother has shown me great love and compassion throughout my life, and she has battled with heart disease for the past 20 years," Trantham says. "My siblings and I never really understood why she always took medicine and worked out. We expect her to live forever."

In 2021, Trantham lost both grandparents within five months of each other because of cardiac arrest. It put things in perspective for her. She says they lacked heart health education and proper care.

Dawn Trantham, middle, with her husband and mother during a 10-mile walk.

Trantham's husband also struggles with high blood pressure because of a hereditary heart condition. When they married, she vowed to work on her health and not repeat her family's history. She and her husband work out together, schedule doctor visits and encourage each other to live a healthy lifestyle.

"Thanks to BCBS, we have the best support to make our health goals and not struggle as much as my family did," Trantham says.

Trantham's mom has walked the Heart Walk the past 10 years, and she and her husband joined her this year.

"We all walk to support that message of live life healthier and happier," Trantham says.

Dawn Trantham, middle, with her grandparents.

Cardiovascular health is a cause close to the heart of Dr. Mark Chassay, BCBSTX vice president and chief medical officer, who is a member of the AHA Dallas division's board of directors. He was chair of the 2023 Dallas Heart Challenge, which led the country in attendance and raised $5.3 million.

Ten years ago, Chassay faced his heart health head on. He had just moved to a new city, had a newborn and lost his mom and cat. Because of the amount of stress, he probably wasn't paying as much attention to his body.

"My life was forever changed when I had a cardiac ablation in 2014 for atrial fibrillation after a failed medical treatment," Chassay says.

He knew he needed to take control of his health. A decade later, he's thankful for the steps he took to get healthier and opportunities to support others.

"Volunteerism is really part of our DNA here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas," Chassay says. "I now volunteer for the American Heart Association because I want to pay it forward and help people detect cardiovascular and stroke-related problems while improving the health of all people in our community."

That's why Palaris got involved with the AHA and its efforts to raise funds for research. In 2016, she started volunteering at the Dallas Heart Walk in memory of her dad. She's served as a Heart Walk coach for the past three years, becoming one of the top walkers. Her friends and family also volunteer.

"If I can make a difference for my family and myself, then I can also do it for other people," Palaris says. "I walk to survive, and I also have a human responsibility to lend support to others."

Palaris is thankful for the opportunity to support BCBSTX members in their heart health. She makes a difference in their lives by educating them about the importance of follow-up visits, lab work and blood pressure checks.