February 24, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On February 23, 2023, in honor of Heart Health Awareness Month nearly 100 residents came out to participate in the Heart & Soul, Slide into Better Health event held at the RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton New Jersey. It was a fun filled evening for all with line dancing provided by instructor, Kenny J., and Live DJ music compliments of DJ Transit. A part of the organization’s efforts to End Racism Together, the event was sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health in partnership with Trenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Braven, the Trenton Health Team and the American Heart Association. Richard Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton and DeAnna Minus-Vincent, Executive Vice President and Chief Social Justice and Accountability Officer, RWJBarnabas Health, came out to enjoy the evening of heart healthy line dancing, heart healthy education and health screenings for the community.

“Heart disease disparately impacts communities of color. For example, 47%of Black or African American adults are diagnosed with heart disease, compared with 36% of their white counterparts,” said DeAnna Minus-Vincent.” “Hispanic women are more than twice as likely as white women to have diabetes, another risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” she adds. Ms. Minus-Vincent recently shared her own personal story to encourage women to be strong, relentless advocates for their own heart health in a video.

Shakil Shaikh, DO, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, provided the opportunity for folks to “Ask the Cardiologist.” RWJUH Hamilton Community Education Team were on site to perform blood pressure readings and provide information about coronary calcium scoring, “knowing your numbers” when it comes to your risk for heart disease, how to make an appointment and where to call. Call 609-584-2890 to make an appointment at RWJUH Hamilton and with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists to determine if a calcium score if right for you.

 “To improve the health outcomes of the hardest hit communities, it’s important to increase awareness about health disparities, what causes them, and how we can work together to remedy them, and the Heart & Soul: Slide Into Better Health was designed to empower the community to do just that,” says Richard Freeman, President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.

To view and register for new and upcoming Hamilton Programs, visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms or click here.

To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists, visit rwjbh.org/heart

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, RWJBarnabas Health

One Hamilton Health Place

Hamilton, New Jersey 08690

609-586-7900

Visit us at rwjbh.org/hamilton

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In front, DeAnna Minus Vincent, Executive Vice President and Chief Social Justice and Accountability Officer and Richard Freeman, President and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton

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(Left to right) Richard Freeman, President and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, DeAnna Minus Vincent, Executive Vice President and Chief Social Justice and Accountability Officer RWJBarnabas Health and Shakil Shaikh, DO, cardiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton

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Trenton Health Team at Heart and Soul Event

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