Year end is a powerful time – a time of great celebrations and gatherings, a time of reflection and resolution and hope for the future. This year at the Florida Heart Research Institute, we once again review our accomplishments with a deep sense of gratitude to the many donors without whose generous gifts none of our fine work would have been possible. As a dynamic and evolving organization, the Research Institute operates in two closely related and complementary realms – that of research and that of education and prevention. Each bolsters and inspires the work of the other.
In the realm of research, this past year has once again provided rich opportunities to develop collaborative relationships and initiate novel and exciting research efforts that would not have happened without the creative efforts of the Institute. A brief summary of this year’s accomplishments spans many diverse and exciting projects:
• Stem cell research – innovative technology has been applied to explore the use of induced pleuripotential stem cells to identify the specific defects in patients who suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Genetics – advanced genetic methodology has been applied to better define cardiovascular risk in specific populations
• Congestive heart failure – based on previous research, a novel designer peptide has entered clinical trials as a new treatment for congestive heart failure
• Hispanic health – review of over 6,000 patients who underwent voluntary screening at FHRI is newly defining the cardiovascular risk profile of Miami’s unique Hispanic population
• Obesity/Diabetes – FHRI is aggressively addressing the evolving epidemic of obesity with novel explorations of the impact of diet on the molecular signaling mechanisms which cause obesity and adult onset diabetes
• Periodic Acceleration – FHRI is leading the exploration of this novel noninvasive methodology which appears to prevent ischemic organ injury, with huge potential implications for victims of cardiac arrest, coronary heart disease and stroke
• Elder Care – long-term follow-up studies of coronary bypass surgery in the very elderly document improving results with surprisingly good long-term quality of life
• Bilateral ITA grafting – long-term study of a surgical technique which was introduced decades ago now reveals a remarkable ability long-term to save lives
Although the research agenda is a robust and successful one, knowledge in medicine is most useful when it can be directly applied to promoting health and well-being. It is for this reason that the Research Institute balances its research efforts with a dynamic program of education and prevention.
• Preventive Screenings – FHRI continues to expand our cardiovascular risk factor screening program throughout the state now serving over 10,000 Florida residents in 2010
• Worksite Wellness – FHRI is taking the lead in encouraging local businesses to adopt worksite wellness programs through our collaboration with the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade and our leadership in their $14.7 million grant from the CDC’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative.
• Health Education – FHRI continues to offer our health education series to worksites, community service organizations and most recently, by webinar
• CPR education and initiatives – FHRI has joined forces with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association to save lives in Florida through CPR education as well as initiatives to improve survival rates of those struck by SCA
• Living for Health ® – FHRI’s model for cardiovascular community health continues to attract local and national attention for its ability to provide early identification for chronic diseases, promote healthy lifestyles and connect those without a doctor to a medical home
May 2011 be a year of health and wellness for you and yours.
