Puzzled? Learn how to put the pieces together!
Research says that the majority of heart disease is preventable and if you already have it you can prevent its progression. Heart Niagara provides programs in Niagara to help prevent and reduce your future risk of heart disease. |
Success . . . through to 2012
As a respected not-for-profit charitable organization it has mapped out its direction and strategy for the next phase of its evolution . . . through to 2012. This process has allowed Heart Niagara to consider "what's possible," based on its vision and values. The Board of Directors has refined the following strategic goals based on input provided throughout a strategic planning process.
To improve Heart Niagara's ability to provide quality services and health promotion which will have a positive measurable impact on health status in Niagara.
To increase Heart Niagara's financial health and viable sustainability to increase the ability to provide services, encourage research and health promotion. |
|
|
|
|
Heart Niagara empowers our community to take control of heart health by providing children and adults with education, training and tools and through strategic partnerships.
Heart Niagara's 31st Annual Meeting was held on September 25, 2008 . . . below are a few highlights from the Annual Report. |
Chairman's Report, Dr. George Zimakas 
Heart Niagara's mandate is to augment our health care system by participating in multiple levels of cardiovascular health services and is achieved through various community programs.
- To better prepare adolescents to respond in cases of emergency Heart Niagara provides CPR training to over 6,000 adolescents annually within the Healthy Heart Schools' Program.
- Workplace Cardiovascular Risk Awareness is a service providing industry with tools to assist employees in recognizing their cardiovascular health risks.
- The Healthy Daily Living (HDL) Program, in partnership with the YMCA, is designed to help people prevent and reduce their future risk of heart disease.
- The Diagnostics Program utilizes stress testing
and echocardiography in recognizing and managing heart disease.
As Chairman over the last two years, it has been my pleasure to see each of these strategies positively impact our community. In looking back over 30 years of service, the value of this organization to our community has been profound. It is clear that the challenges in the next 30 years will be met with the same enthusiasm, creativity and dedication that have defined Heart Niagara. |
|
|
Healthy Heart Schools' Program, Dr.Stafford Dobbin
 Driven by society's concern at the growing prevalence of childhood obesity, diabetes and inactivity, the need for a programme that impacts directly on vulnerable individuals has become essential. There is growing recognition that a link exists between health problems and heart disease in adults and lifestyle behaviours that begin in childhood and adolescence. The common sense behind the initial approachof a whole population strategy that also identified a population at higher risk has finally become apparent. With the Healthy Heart Schools' Program, attention is drawn to the cholesterol levels, blood pressures and fitness levels of all Niagara grade 9 students reinforcing positive choice. The Healthy Heart Schools' Program is the only one in Canada that interacts with all Grade 9 students, including their parents and family, during the only period in their lives when they are easily accessible - at school. Heart Niagara is grateful to our partners, Niagara Region Public Health, District School Board of Niagara, Niagara Catholic School Board, and the teachers, nurses, and health promoters who have helped make this program possible for over twenty years |
|
Minutes Count, Dr. Doug Munkley
Providing CPR to someone who collapses in a heart emergency is critical for survival. Recent medical literature strongly suggests that the "New CPR" as per new AHA guidelines and training in the last two years is very positively affecting the outcomes. Ontario statistics gathered in that time suggests an improvement of 60% to an overall survival rate of 8% for sudden cardiac arrest since the introduction of
"New CPR".
In 2007, our program has expanded its reach to now provide 140 defibrillators in partnership with 100 local organizations. Heart Niagara defibrillators are in numerous public places around the peninsula. To name a few: The YMCA's, Ontario Power Generation, Club Italia, GM and in every Niagara arena. In 2007, we joined forces with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Together we placed 20 new defibrillators in St. Catharines, Port Colborne, Welland, Wainfleet and in Niagara Falls.
Heart Niagara is still very active in promoting and training in CPR. It is not our prime mandate as it once was, but we recognize CPR's importance for Public Access Defibrillation Program success. |
|
|
Thank you to our partners and key influencers, who have welcomed an energized Heart Niagara in 2008.
|
|
Sincerely,
The Board and Staff of Heart Niagara | |
|
