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Local Voices

BIDMC and AHA Announce Lifestyle Change Awards

Competition Aims to Recognize those Committed to Heart-Healthy Activities

BOSTON, February 18, 2014 —The American Heart Association and the CardioVascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have joined forces to sponsor a Lifestyle Change Awards competition for the greater Boston area.

The partners are seeking nominations for people who have made significant strides toward adopting heart-healthy lifestyles. The top three finalists will be announced on National Walking Day, April 2.

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According to Kamal R. Khabbaz, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at BIDMC, the Lifestyle Change Awards are a great opportunity to recognize a friend, family member, or co-worker who has made significant, positive changes to improve their quality of life and health, and inspired others to do the same.  He says that every accomplishment is significant and should be celebrated. Examples include increasing physical activity, losing weight, quitting smoking, and eating heart-healthy foods.

The three finalists will be recognized at the 2014 Boston Heart Walk and featured in an American Heart Association social media campaign.

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“We think it’s important to recognize individuals who can serve as role models for others because they have made healthy lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Khabbaz. “As a heart surgeon, I’m keenly aware that people who exercise, eat right, and don’t smoke improve their chances of avoiding or recovering from heart disease.”

Dr. Khabbaz is co-chair of the 2014 BIDMC Walking Campaign along with Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV5. 

Nominations for the 2014 Lifestyle Change Award may be submitted by completing the nomination form and emailing it to bostonheartwalk@heart.org by March 12, 2014. People of all ages and physical conditions are encouraged to apply.

Lifestyle Change Awards nomination form.

 

About the CardioVascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

The Cardiovascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center combines cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery in a structure designed to facilitate collaboration across disciplines. The CVI delivers outstanding outcomes, easy access, and better service, earning BIDMC recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the best 100 hospitals or a distinguished hospital in heart care and surgery since 2006. Community-based cardiologists and vascular surgeons at convenient offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire provide a wide range of services and, when advanced care is needed, refer patients to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. For more information, visit www.bidmc.harvard.edu/CVI

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