Chiu and Cobuzzi Help Millions Build Healthier Lives Free of Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke

CLEVELAND, Nov. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward K. Chiu, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.H.A., Wheeling, WV; and Anne K. Cobuzzi, Chadds Ford, PA are serving their second year as president and chairman of the American Heart Association's Great Rivers Affiliate board of directors in a two-year term which runs through June 30, 2012.  

Chiu and Cobuzzi will lead the association's mission efforts to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Through their leadership, the board will oversee the American Heart Association's five-state region which includes: Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The affiliate serves more than 31 million individuals through research, community outreach and patient education initiatives.

American Heart Association affiliate board of directors serve without compensation in a volunteer leadership role. Board members help ensure the financial solvency of the affiliate through oversight of business operations, policies, standards and long-range goals.

"I am pleased to announce the president-elect and chairman-elect of the affiliate board of directors," said Nicole Aiello Sapio, Executive Vice President of the American Heart Association's Great Rivers Affiliate.  "We have an impressive slate of executive leaders who uniquely embody the association's commitment to mission delivery which will enable the organization to provide sustained lifesaving solutions to our constituents. Each member represents our core values of dedication, excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, sensitivity and vision.  The diverse talent and expertise of each affiliate board member will help position Great Rivers for long-term success as we continue to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."

William S. Weintraub, M.D., Newark, DE; and Susan Croushore, Cincinnati, OH have been elected president-elect and chairman-elect respectively for the Great Rivers Affiliate board of directors.

Dr. Weintraub has been appointed as president-elect for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  He will then serve as president of the board from 2012 through 2014.  He is the chief of cardiology and director of Christiana Care Center for Outcomes Research in Newark, DE.  Dr. Weintraub is an internationally distinguished cardiologist and an expert in outcomes research, and a long-time American Heart Association volunteer with significant contributions at the local and national levels, including currently serving as a member of the National Advocacy Coordinating Committee, which provides guidance and strategic direction on the association's public policy priorities.

Susan Croushore has been named chairman-elect for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  She will then serve as chairman of the board from 2012 through 2014.  Susan is the president and CEO of The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.  She served as board chairman for the Cincinnati division, served as chairperson of the Cincinnati Mini Marathon and was a member of the Go Red For Women executive leadership team which helped leverage corporate partnerships to support Go Red fundraising efforts.

Joining the slate of affiliate board members are:

• Leonard H. Berenfield – President & CEO, Berenfield Containers, Cincinnati, OH
• Theresa Conejo, R.N. – Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• Donald R. Fischer, M.D., M.B.A. – SVP Health Affairs & Chief Medical Officer, Highmark Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
• Michael D. Parkinson, M.D., M.P.H. – Independent Consultant, Pittsburgh, PA
• Dennis Prischak – President & CEO, The Plastek Group, Erie, PA
• John Rademacher – President, Nuclear & Pharmacy Services, Cardinal Health, Columbus, OH
• Neal Richmond, M.D. – CEO, Metro EMS, Louisville, KY
• Timothy Shuttleworth – President & CEO, Eriez Magnetics, Erie, PA
• Creighton B. Wright, M.D., F.A.H.A. – Cardiac, Vascular & Thoracic Surgeon, Cincinnati, OH

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.  To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.  To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

SOURCE American Heart Association