I’m honored to join the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign as a teammate of my friend and former colleague, Mike Erdeljac.
When Mike asked me to be part of his team, saying yes was an easy decision.
Cardiovascular health is something that hits close to home. Like so many families, mine has been impacted by heart health concerns, and those experiences have given this mission a personal meaning beyond the statistics.
Professionally, I’ve also had the opportunity to see healthcare from a few different perspectives. Earlier in my career, I worked in the medical device industry, where I saw firsthand the incredible people, technology, and innovation that go into caring for patients. I also saw just how complex our healthcare system can be and how important prevention, education, and access to quality care are long before someone reaches a hospital.
Today, I work in dentistry, and that has given me an entirely different perspective on something we sometimes forget: the body is incredibly interconnected.
Oral health is a great example. Research continues to strengthen our understanding of the relationship between oral and cardiovascular health. Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and bacteria and inflammation originating in the mouth can have effects far beyond our teeth and gums. To me, it’s another reminder that taking care of our health isn’t about treating individual parts of the body in isolation. Prevention, education and access to care all matter.
Through Leaders of Impact, the funds we raise will help support lifesaving cardiovascular research, expand CPR education, and help create healthier communities. These are initiatives that can give people more time with their parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, children, and friends.
That’s ultimately what this campaign is about for me… more time and healthier lives with the people we love.
I’m grateful Mike thought enough of me to ask me to join him in this effort, and I’m excited to see what our team can accomplish together.
If you’re able to support us, I would greatly appreciate any contribution, no matter the amount. And if donating isn’t in the cards, simply sharing our campaign and helping us spread awareness can make an impact too.
Fundraising is open through November 4th at 9:00 PM.
Thank you for supporting Mike, our team and the American Heart Association. Let’s make an impact together.