Message From Chairperson
Meighan Girgus
Chief Mission Officer,
American Heart Association
Meighan has been Chief Mission Officer of the American Heart Association (AHA) since 2009. In this role, she oversees all AHA efforts in consumer health, science operations, strategic planning, emergency cardiovascular care, global strategies, communications, health quality, mission aligned businesses, advocacy and field health strategies.
Prior to being named Chief Mission Officer, Meighan served for seven years as the AHA’s Executive Vice President of Healthcare. She has more than two decades of experience in healthcare marketing and administration.
Meighan has spent much of her career dedicated to helping change the care delivery system and has been integrally involved in multiple national panels and writing groups dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease. She was a co-author of the groundbreaking “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers,” published in JAMA, which was the precedent for a radical shift in stroke care in the United States and the premise for The Joint Commission’s primary stroke center certification program. She was a co-author of the “Recommendations for Improving the Quality of Care through Stroke Centers and Systems: An Examination of Stroke Center Identification Options,” which was published in Stroke and has been instrumental in redefining the type of care that is provided to stroke patients. She was a writing group member for the CDC’s “A Public Health Action Plan to Prevent Heart Disease,” and an expert panel member for its workgroup which published “Establishment of Data Elements for the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry” in Stroke.
Meighan participated in the NHLBI Workgroup on Peripheral Artery Disease: Developing a Public Awareness Campaign and on the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, Stroke Progress Review Group. Most recently, she is a co-author of “Translating Research into Practice for Healthcare Providers: The American Heart Association’s Strategy for Building Healthier Lives Free of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke,” and “Partnering to Reduce Risks and Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes - American Heart Association Initiatives in Action for Consumers and Patients,” both published in the journal Circulation. Additionally, she recently completed a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology under the direction of Dr. Mark Leavitt.
Meighan received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, her Masters in Business Administration from Southern California University, and completed her Graduate Marketing Certification at Southern Methodist University.
Message From Nancy Brown
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 2012 Go Red For Women Luncheon! We’re delighted you are here and appreciate your interest in learning how you can advance health, stop heart disease and save women’s lives. That’s what the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement is all about.
Heart disease isn’t just a man’s problem. It’s a woman’s problem, too. In fact, it’s the No. 1 killer of women. And, tragically, far too few women realize their risk from this preventable disease. We need to raise women’s awareness of their risk and protect our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and ourselves.
You can help, starting today. Here’s how:
First, take charge of your own heart health. Visit your doctor. Know your numbers (learn more at www.GoRedForWomen.org). You can improve your blood pressure, cholesterol and other numbers by making lifestyle changes. You’ll be healthier and look and feel better, too.
Second, join the American Heart Association in making it your mission to fight heart disease in women. Help spread the word that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer. Share what you learn today with your family and members of your community. Tell five women you want them to live and we can help stop heart disease in our lifetime.
Third and last, consider making a contribution. Your donation today will make a difference in the lives of women here and across the country. You can help fund local and national Go Red activities that support awareness, research, education and community programs that benefit women.
Thank you again for being here. My hope is that you won’t leave today without committing to making a difference by joining the Go Red For Women movement — women everywhere need your help. Only one in five women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat. We believe reducing risk and preventing heart disease starts with education — and you. There’s so much to do, and so much at stake.
With your commitment, we can help women and their families live longer, stronger lives. Thank you for your generous support.
Warm regards,
Nancy Brown
Chief Executive Officer
American Heart Association
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Name
A message from our current volunteer spotlight will be coming shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Join [VolunteerName] and Make it Your Mission to help in the fight against heart disease in women.
