Keith Churchwell, MD, president of Yale New Haven Hospital, has been selected as the American Heart Association (AHA) president-elect. His one-year term begins as president begins July 1, 2024.
Churchwell has served with the AHA for over two decades. Most recently, as chair of the Advocacy Coordinating Committee and as past president of the Southeast Affiliate and the former Founders Affiliate. He has also led important initiatives for the AHA in evaluating their role in advancing health equity and identifying and addressing disparities in care in the population.
“I am proud to partner with such talented and dedicated colleagues,” said Churchwell. “The American Heart Association will celebrate its centennial next year. The second century for the AHA will be an important time for the organization as it looks towards new and innovative strategies to improve the cardiovascular health for all; to truly improve total health and well-being for everyone. I am honored to be asked to help in leading AHA into the next century in these initiatives and the work within AHA that touches all aspects of cardiovascular disease.“
The second century for the AHA will be an important time for the organization as it looks towards new and innovative strategies to improve the cardiovascular health for all; to truly improve total health and well-being for everyone. I am honored to be asked to help in leading AHA into the next century in these initiatives and the work within AHA that touches all aspects of cardiovascular disease.
Keith Churchwell, MD,
In 2019, the AHA contributed $188.7 million for scientific research.
A staunch advocate for health equity, Churchwell co-authored the AHA presidential advisory "Call to Action: Structural Racism as a Fundamental Driver of Health Disparities.” He received the 2021 AHA Award of Meritorious Achievement for his efforts to address health disparities across the country.
“We are so excited and proud at Yale that Keith will be shepherding the AHA as its incoming president during this centennial celebration year. As a tireless AHA volunteer, advocate, an astute academic clinical cardiologist, and effective health care administrator he is perfectly positioned to lead AHA to new heights, and his colleagues at Yale Cardiovascular Medicine and YNHH Heart and Vascular Center are thrilled to support him in this important role,” said Eric J. Velazquez, MD, Robert W. Berliner Professor of Medicine, and chief of Yale Cardiovascular Medicine.