On April 2, 2019, the UCLA Women’s Cardiovascular Center co-hosted “Women’s Heart Health: What We Know & What We’re Doing About It,” with the American Heart Association (AHA) at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. Guests enjoyed refreshments while learning about 11 different research projects being funded by UCLA and the AHA. Dr. Stephen Smale, vice dean of medical research for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, welcomed guests and shared the latest cardiovascular research across UCLA.
Shawn Casey-White, affiliate development officer for the Western State Affiliate AHA, spoke about the long-standing partnership between the AHA and UCLA and the Go Red for Women campaign, which focuses on women-specific guidelines for the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Dr. Tamara B. Horwich (RES ’02, FEL ’06), co-director of the UCLA Women’s Cardiovascular Center, discussed the big picture of women’s heart health. She highlighted the growing need to increase awareness and invest in further research, since heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Dr. Horwich was joined by Louise Weiss-Reitz, who shared her own experience of surviving a heart attack and recovering with the help of UCLA faculty. In a more scientific look at what is being done to advance women’s heart health, Christine Cunningham, PhD candidate, wrapped up the program with an in-depth look at her research into the sex differences in cardiovascular disease. After a brief Q & A, guests walked away with a better understanding of the seriousness of women’s cardiovascular disease and what UCLA and the AHA are doing together to fight it.
For more information, contact Health Sciences Development at: 310-206-6484
(From left): Drs. Stephen Smale and Tamara Horwich, Shawn Casey-White, Louise Weiss-Reitz and Christine Cunningham.
Photo: Jessie Cowan
