Advocating for Healthier Lives
Miller School neurology chairman Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., became the first neurologist to serve as president of the American Heart Association (AHA) when he began his term on July 1, 2010. As president, Sacco is the chief volunteer scientific and medical officer, responsible for medical, scientific, and public health matters.
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| Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S. |
“Clearly one of my goals as president and as a neurologist is to broaden the organization’s focus on stroke, especially through the American Stroke Association, a vital part of the AHA,” Sacco says. “We’ll also continue to broaden our mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and
stroke. With our nation’s constantly changing demographics, we not only want to reach out to all population groups through our programs, but get more people from
diverse backgrounds involved in our mission as volunteers.”
In addition to serving as neurology chair, Sacco is the Olemberg Family Chair in Neurological Diseases, Miller Professor of Neurology, Epidemiology and Human Genetics, and chief of
the neurology service at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Sacco’s relationship with the AHA dates back to his
days as a student at Boston University Medical School, when the organization awarded him a medical student scholarship. He later served as president of the New York City regional board while on the faculty at Columbia University.
“This is an exciting time to be involved with the American Heart Association,” Sacco says. “We are taking a bold approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases through our new initiatives and strategic plan for the coming decade. Our 2020 goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, as well as continue to reduce death from cardiovascular disease and stroke.
“Most of my professional life has been focused on preventing these illnesses, so I am really excited to be playing a leading role as the AHA takes on this ambitious goal.” |
