Scott & White Researcher Dr. Catherine McNeal, Scientist, Physician, and Champion for Heart

An Aggie PhD by degree first, Dr. Catherine McNeal also completed medical school at TAMU's College of Medicine, where she did clinical training at Scott & White Clinic in Temple. Today, she does vascular research at Scott & White's Children's Cardiovascular Health Clinic in Temple. For her outstanding research work, Dr. McNeal has been the recipient of a multiyear grant from the American Heart Association. She also volunteers for and actively supports the American Heart Association, giving back in two ways, professionally, and personally. Truly Dr. McNeal is a great role model for women to achieve whatever academic and professional goals they set as young women. The American Heart Association puts the funds into grants, and community volunteers make up the Heart of American Heart Association.

To read the full story in the December 27, 2009 Bryan College Station Eagle, visit:
www.theeagle.com or

http://www.dawnleewakefield.com/nonprofit.html

Doctors Lechin, Lammoglia, and Hansen Featured in The Eagle's Bless Your Heart Ad, Sunday, December 20, 2009

Two cardiologists and one cardiovascular surgeon were featured in today's Eagle Bless Your Heart Ad: Dr. Marcel Lechin, Dr. Mario Lammoglia, and Dr. Andrew Hansen, respectively, were highlighted as part of the talented Heart team practicing at The Med in College Station.



Double-click the link below to read the story:
http://www.dawnleewakefield.com/blessyourheart3.pdf

Bryan-College Station "The Eagle" Features Go Red Committee Photo and Second Bless Your Heart Ad

Long-time Bryan community volunteer, Lee Roy Johnson, is profiled in Today's Bless Your Heart ad in The Eagle. Today the picture of health, Lee Roy stays busy enough for 3 people; apparently volunteering for heart health runs in the family. Photo of the "Go Red for Women" Heart luncheon committee, set for Feb. 3, 2010, includes Lee Roy and Carolyn's son, Craig Johnson, as publicity chair. Kathy Gregory of ANCO Insurance is luncheon chair and has a great team of volunteers working together. Barbara Bush will be the keynote speaker for the February luncheon.

For more info on any of the American Heart Association activities in the Brazos Valley, call Melissa Liddicoat, Corporate Marketing Director, today at 979-268-0068.

In today's Brazos "Life" Section, the volunteer team for the February 3, 2010 "Go Red for Heart" Luncheon is featured: Excerpt follows:
CHARITY

The 2010 American Heart Assocation Go Red for Women luncheon committee recently met at The Nest in College Station.

Committee members are: Craig Johnson, Pam Williams, Carolyn Ricca, Cathy Lyles, Alicia Ramirez, Mary "Mike" Hatcher, Rusleen Maurice, Reba Ragsdale, Kathy Gregory (chair), Fawn Preuss, Cindy Emola, Trevor Carney, Susan Olson, Lesley Becker and Melissa Liddicoat (AHA corporate market director).

The 2010 Go Red for Women luncheon will be Feb. 2 at the College Station Hilton. The keynote address will be delivered by Barbara Bush.

For sponsorship information, call 268-0068.

and the second Bless Your Heart Ad, featuring cardiac survivor Lee Roy Johnson is on page B-7. The profile follows here:

Lee Roy Johnson’s Heart Always in the Right Place

In a quiet Bryan neighborhood is an unassuming man of many talents—distinguished community and church volunteer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and devoted Texas Ex. To look at him, you’d never know he suffered his first heart attack at age 35. Today, Lee Roy Johnson is a vibrant, dynamic 72 years old. Though he retired from a career at TAMU’s Physical Plant, Johnson regularly logs 12-hour days improving life for Bryan residents as President of the Sul Ross Neighborhood Association.

Heart disease ran in his family on his mother’s side, but Lee Roy showed none of the classic symptoms until one Sunday at lunch, shooting pains crossed his shoulders. This was in 1972, in Bryan, in the days when everyone went to Houston for heart problems. They called Dr. James Lindsey, who met Lee Roy at his office, ran an EKG, gave him a book, and encouraged him to exercise and eat ‘right’. At his wife Carolyn’s urging, Lee Roy cut the fat from his diet, and upped the exercise, becoming a faithful jogger, bicyclist and walker. Thirty years went by without episode; they thought he was in the clear.

Unexpectedly, Lee Roy was blindsided. The Johnsons had been through tremendous stress in 2002, as their daughter, Cindy, was recovering from brain surgery.
A genetic component of heart disease in his family and the stress of their daughter’s illness collided, painfully. In March 2002, Lee Roy suffered substantial chest pain, so they dashed to Bryan’s St. Joseph’s Hospital. No longer did patients have to travel to Houston for ‘the best’ in heart care. Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Peter Napoli performed a 5-bypass procedure on Lee Roy. Thereafter, Dr. Ken Wigley became his cardiologist. For 7 years, Johnson has been episode-free. Medicine, diet, and exercise have kept him at the peak of health.

But, the best nonmedical healing came, he says, from his wife Carolyn, and the love of his family. Heart disease affects the whole family. In addition to their mutual faith in God, “Carolyn’s strength and loving devotion, Lee Roy says, “truly blessed my heart.”
—Dawn Lee Wakefield

Heart disease is more than a condition. It’s a name and face. It’s a husband, father, and friend. Lee Roy Johnson is a heart survivor because of the advances in research in heart disease and stroke, made possible by your contributions to the American Heart Association. This year, why not remember those you love with a gift in their honor, or in their memory, to the Bless Your Heart giving program today, in time for the holidays.
Visit www.brazosblessyourheart.org and give. Read more about local events benefiting American Heart at http://brazosvalleyheartteam.blogspot.com and add your heartfelt gifts to the fight against heart disease and stroke.
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Thanks to The Eagle for their event sponsorship and to Katie Fox of Fox Marketing & Design for her graphic design talents.

Bless Your Heart Giving Announced in the Bryan-College Station Eagle Story December 6th

Events seek to bless the heart
By MAGGIE KIELY

Officials from the Brazos Valley Heart Team are taking steps to recharge local interest in the American Heart Association by encouraging residents to participate in a series of fundraising events.

Starting Sunday until the end of the year, residents can donate to AHA through the Bless Your Heart program, officials said.

Program contributions will be accepted from individuals in honor or memory of someone special. In return, that person or their family will receive a card informing them someone gave a gift in their name.

Money raised locally is matched by the national AHA, said Melissa Liddicoat, corporate marketing director for the regional AHA. She said about 87 percent of the funds raised go directly back into the community for supporting heart disease education and research efforts.

Donna Adam, co-chair of the Brazos Valley Heart Team, said raising research money is crucial to preventing heart disease, and the Bless Your Heart program is one way for individuals to help save lives.

To donate online to the Bless Your Heart Program, visit this link:

https://ahawaco.ejoinme.org/?tabid=186320


Full story at:
http://www.theeagle.com/local/Events-seek-to-bless-the-heart

Published Sunday, December 06, 2009 12:07 AM
maggie.kiely@theeagle.com