New national volunteer leaders to guide American Heart Association into second century

A cardiologist renowned as a health equity champion and an executive leader in workplace diversity and inclusion will lead the American Heart Association into 2025

DALLAS, July 1, 2024 - The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has named its volunteer leadership for fiscal year 2024-25. Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, serving as the new volunteer president, and Marsha Jones, continuing a two-year term as volunteer board chairperson, will help guide the Association as it enters its second century. Churchwell and Jones are long-time volunteer leaders for the American Heart Association, having both served on numerous boards and committees locally and nationally.

Churchwell, of Branford, Connecticut, is the Association's 88th volunteer president to serve in the organization's 100 years of existence. In this role, he serves as the lead volunteer scientific and medical officer of the organization. He most recently served as President of Yale New Haven Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his postgraduate training in cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology at Emory School of Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

Well-recognized as a health equity change agent, Churchwell was honored with the 2021 American Heart Association Award of Meritorious Achievement for his efforts to address health disparities across the country and helped author the Association's seminal presidential advisory, Advancing Healthcare Reform: The American Heart Association's 2020 Statement of Principles for Adequate, Accessible, and Affordable Health Care. Additionally, as volunteer chair for the Association's Advocacy Coordinating committee, he has helped champion a number of important public policy victories including the passage of laws and policies requiring CPR training in schools, ensuring access to defibrillators in youth sports, reducing nicotine in cigarettes, removing flavored vapes from the market and expanding Medicaid.

"Recent reports from the American Heart Association outline a chasm of inequity that continues to grow at a critical time as our population becomes more richly diverse," Churchwell said. "I am excited as the organization moves into our second century and to embrace new and innovative strategies to expand our research and understanding of how we can ensure cardiovascular health and total health for all."

Jones, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, is the retired executive vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. in Pittsburgh. She received her undergraduate degree from Lehman College and a Master of Arts from Columbia University. Additionally, she is a graduate of The Executive Leadership Development Program of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jones has long been an advocate and leader in the development and implementation of strategies to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is a frequent national guest speaker on corporate innovation and has received national recognition as a trailblazing champion for women of color.

"Serving my first term during the centennial of the American Heart Association has been such an honor as we have showcased the many advancements made toward ensuring everyone has an opportunity to lead a long, healthy life," Jones said. "During our second century we will continue to make health equity a priority across the globe. We have some tremendous challenges ahead and also tremendous opportunities. I look forward to supporting new innovations to help shape the future of this great organization and the health of all people."

"As we enter our second century, this is a pivotal time for the American Heart Association and I know that under the strong volunteer leadership of Marsha Jones, Dr. Keith Churchwell and the entire board, we will continue to advance our work as a global force," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "With their broad experience and unwavering commitment, we will build upon the foundation established 100 years ago to ensure health and hope for everyone, everywhere."

Linda Gooden, a retired executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is serving her second of a two-year term as the Association's volunteer treasurer. Gooden is a long-time volunteer of the Association and has provided instrumental leadership in implementing the organization's multiyear cybersecurity program and commencing the process to implement a new financial system. For her outstanding leadership in advancing technology and risk management, she received the American Heart Association's 2023 Morgan Stark Memorial Award. Gooden and her husband are also contributors to the Association's Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, supporting work in their local Washington, D.C., region to break down social and economic barriers to health equity

The Association also announced its volunteer president-elect and volunteer chairperson-elect.

Stacy M. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, is the new volunteer president-elect for the Association. She is executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health, the Partners Council Professor of Women's Health and Professor of Cardiology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in Queens, New York. Rosen is a leading clinical expert in women's cardiovascular disease with a focus on health disparities, gender-based research, community partnerships and education.

Lee Shapiro, co-founder and managing partner at 7wireVentures, an investment firm located in Chicago, will serve his second of a two-year term as the volunteer board chairperson-elect for the Association. He previously served as the organization's volunteer treasurer and has held numerous national and local volunteer roles. He is a co-founder and board member of The World Innovation Network, the advisory committee of the University of Chicago Innovation Fund Advisory Committee and the Samsung Digital Health Advisory Board.

The American Heart Association's fiscal year runs July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Additional Resources

• Photographs are available on the right column of the release link.
• Learn more about the American Heart Association's 2024-25 volunteer and staff leadership.
• AHA News article - New AHA president leads with a cardinal rule (June 2024)
• AHA News article - New AHA board chair Marsha Jones knows all about navigating challenges (June 2023)
• Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews

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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 and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Cathy Lewis: [email protected]

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

heart.org and stroke.org