Joseph Surace Named 2018 AHA Heart Walk Chair
Newburgh, NY – Joseph T. Surace, Vice President of Operations at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, has been announced as the chair of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Tri-County Heart Walk, set for Sunday May 6, 2018 at Harriman State Park. This annual community event is a key fundraiser for the American Heart Association to help finance programs and research.
In his role as VP of Operations, Mr. Surace oversees more than 300 employees, and serves as the liaison between many clinical and operational departments, working to ensure the implementation of major renovations and projects of that nature. Aside from his work at SLCH, Mr. Surace is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives as well as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Supporting the American Heart Association and the Tri-County Heart Walk is something that Mr. Surace has been involved in for several years. He champions the SLCH team year after year, and serves as a terrific example for his colleagues to follow.
“I am proud to serve as Chair of the 2018 Tri-County Heart Walk,” said Surace. “Heart disease is something that impacts each and every one of us, whether it be a mother, father, brother, sister, or child. My family is my why…having lost family members to heart disease, I am closely connected to the fight. On behalf of all of us at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, we are proud to support the American Heart Association; an organization that works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our loved ones.”
Mr. Surace will rally community leaders in the fight against heart disease to sponsor the event and form teams to walk. The funds raised from the Heart Walk support lifesaving programs and research. The AHA is the largest non-governmental source of cardiovascular research funding in the U.S. In New York alone, the American Heart Association funds $29,917,263 annually through 114 research studies.
Cardiovascular disease, CVD, is the number one killer of all Americans. In fact, someone dies from CVD every 39 seconds. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women---it kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Thankfully, more than 80% of heart disease incidents can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthier and walking 30 minutes most days of the week. Events like the Heart Walk get people walking as part of the AHA’s year-round Healthy For Good campaign to create a culture of health at home, at work and in the community. Free info and resources are available online at www.heart.org/healthyforgood. The four pillars of a healthy for good lifestyle are “Eat Smart,” “Add Color,” “Move More,” and “Be Well.” By eating healthier, including a colorful selection of fruits and vegetables, exercising 30 minutes daily, and focusing on stress relief, mindfulness and sleep, we can prevent a majority of heart disease in Americans. To get updates about the Heart Walk and for event registration, bookmark www.tricountyheartwalk.org.
About St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) is a not-for-profit community hospital with campuses in Newburgh and Cornwall, NY. The hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the Hudson Valley and has achieved excellence in the delivery of compassionate and comprehensive health care services. SLCH is also recognized as an industry leader in using information technology to improve patient care, by winning the Most Wired Award for the second year in a row. In January 2016, SLCH officially partnered with Montefiore Health System to strengthen the delivery of health care locally and enhance access to exceptional specialty care for Hudson Valley residents.
