I chose to volunteer with the American Heart Association because heart disease and stroke impact all of us, and the mission is deeply personal. Earlier this year, our HCA Florida Mercy Hospital family experienced the sudden passing of Dr. Eduardo Salinas, one of our most beloved emergency department physicians. Dr. Salinas embodied the very best of medicine — he combined extraordinary skill with a gift for connecting to patients on a deeply human level. He was honored as Physician of the Year by his peers in 2024 and served as a leader on our medical staff. His sudden passing shook us to our core and reminded me why this work matters. Chairing the Heart Walk is a way to honor his legacy, while also ensuring that we as a community do everything possible to prevent future tragedies.
