The Florida Heart Research Institute (FHRI) is proud to announce that their free Cardiovascular Risk Factor Screening Program was named Best Nonprofit Program at the annual South Florida Business Journals Excellence in Health Care Awards luncheon.
The free screening program was recognized for the important service it provides to underserved and uninsured residents of South Florida because it identifies those at risk for heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes before they suffer a life threatening event. Florida Hearts program is unique because of their vision to link those needing follow up medical care to nearby clinics that will treat on a sliding fee scale based upon ability to pay. The program increases access to care for the uninsured, cuts down on ER visits, reduces uncompensated care and decreases health disparities. Each participant receives printed clinical results, educational literature on heart health, and culturally sensitive one-on-one counseling by physician-trained health educators. “It has been an honor to work in this capacity helping to educate people how simple lifestyle changes can actually stop, prevent and even reverse the onset of disease if they follow the proper corrective steps”, says Tori Gabriel, FHRIs Director of Education & Prevention and program creator. “Our goal is to teach empowerment and to help people understand that its always better to be proactive to prevent disease than reactive and treat disease.”