New York Medical Professor Receives AHA Chairman's Award for Leading Initiatives on Diversity, Equity in Education and Healthcare

CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2014 — The American Heart Association yesterday presented its Chairman’s Award for excellence in volunteer service to Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., of Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, N.Y., and the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Lake Success, N.Y.

The award cited Mieres “for the effective and energetic leadership she has provided to the association’s initiatives, especially those fostering diversity and equity in medical education and healthcare delivery.”

Mieres received the award during opening ceremonies of the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. She is professor of cardiology and population health at the medical school in Hempstead and senior vice president, community and public health, and chief diversity and inclusion officer for the Lake Success health system. American Heart Association Board Chairman Bernie Dennis of Sudbury, Mass., presented the citation and $1,000 honorarium. “Dr. Mieres’ enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the mission of the association is infectious and inspiring,” Dennis said in presenting the award. “She has been a diligent force in local and national communities, fully dedicated to creating a balanced approach to medical education as well as to the empowerment of communities regarding their health and the elimination of disparities in the delivery of healthcare.”

“For more than 15 years, Dr. Mieres has been an active, involved participant in the development and implementation of AHA programs such as the Go Red For Women campaign focusing on cardiovascular disease and its prevention, particularly in women,” Dennis said.

Mieres was lead investigator in the national What Is the Optimal Method for Ischemia Evaluation in Women (WOMEN) study. She also chaired AHA’s writing group on imaging in women and was lead author of its scientific statement on the role of non-invasive testing of women for ischemic heart disease. A Boston University medical graduate, she joined Hofstra in 2010.

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