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PORTLAND, Maine

President Danielle Ripich receives American Heart Association Crystal Heart Award

Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., president of the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ, received a 2015 Crystal Heart Award for her leadership and dedication to improving the heart health of the community at the American Heart Association (AHA) Go Red for Women Luncheon. The event took place on March 10, 2015 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Trustee Emeritus Robert McAfee, M.D., HON’94, who serves as chair of the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ "Moving Forward" campaign, also received a Crystal Heart Award at the event. 

The Crystal Heart Award recognizes individuals who work to further the AHA’s mission β€œto build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.” The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ has also been a past recipient of AHA research grants to support research that will help better understand how to treat and rehabilitate stroke patients.

β€œThe American Heart Association’s effort to improve the health and wellness of our communities is exemplary,” said Ripich. β€œI feel extremely honored to receive this award, but even more honored to continue supporting this organization’s mission.”

The Go Red Luncheon is an annual event held to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke risk in women and to advocate for research and prevention. The event included presentations from educational speakers, a silent auction, health-screenings and more. 

 

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.