Any review of this past year, even the most superficial, will challenge our sense of stability—a profound and still evolving international financial crisis, a disarming increase in the pace and scope of natural disasters, increasing dissemination of nuclear capabilities, mounting evidence of the impact global warming… It appears as though we are involved in an era of human history that challenges a “business as usual” perspective of the world. It is just this sort of scenario which compels us to reevaluate our priorities and efforts in life. In this regard, it is with perhaps an accentuated sense of enthusiasm that we share with you the accomplishments of the Florida Heart Research Institute over this past year. It is the nature of our endeavors that they focus not on transient or frivolous goals, but rather deal with issues that have both immediate and far-reaching impact on helping to save human lives.

Briefly, in the area of research, our efforts in this past year have:

  • Opened new frontiers into the mechanisms by which bone marrow stem cells can help to heal injured hearts
  • Explored new avenues of research into novel non-invasive techniques for preventing ischemic and reperfusion myocardial injury
  • Presented a series of trail-blazing findings regarding cardiovascular risk in the Miami Hispanic population
  • Presented compelling findings regarding the role of surgical intervention in our ever-growing elderly population with coronary heart disease
  • Supported the data collection for the HOPS (Healthier Options for Public School Children) initiative which is directly changing how school children eat—a critical strategy in the battle against the scourge of childhood obesity
  • Released our findings of a novel physiologic approach to treating acute congestive heart failure which is currently being pursued as a new medication
  • Launched a long-term follow-up study comparing percutaneous interventions with surgery for patients with coronary heart disease in a community hospital setting
  • Presented preliminary findings exploring the mechanisms by which the “Mediterranean” diet can reverse the devasting progression of metabolic syndrome and its role in diabetes and heart disease

Paralleling these diverse and far-reaching efforts in the research arena, we are proud to support an active “hands-on” approach to heart disease education and prevention initiatives.

  • Received award recognition for our cardiovascular screening program that identifies those at risk for heart disease and networks those who need follow up medical care to clinics and educational programs
  • Presented results of our Mission to Health program – a faith-based chronic disease prevention program for the Pan African communities of Miami-Dade County
  • Launched our Living for Health program that will screen more than 4,000 underserved adults living in South Miami-Dade and follow them over the next two years
  • Strengthened the depth and scope of our Working to Health programs that assist local employers wishing to provide worksite wellness programs that will improve the health and productivity of employees

Although we are obviously proud of our accomplishments, no one at the Florida Heart Research Institute is interested in resting on our laurels. We constantly strive to expand and improve our efforts. Given the seriousness of our times, nothing could be more important than to actively combat cardiovascular disease–the leading killer of men and women in the world. However, it is only possible to pursue our mission through the kind and generous support of our donors. Therefore, in uncertain and challenging times such as these, FHRI becomes one of the best investments that one can make in our future.