February 12, 2021–5:08 p.m.
NEWS RELEASE
An advisory board that includes volunteers from all walks of life is working to help Floyd improve heart health in the African American community, which has a higher mortality rate from cardiovascular disease than other populations.
The 12-member More Heart Advisory Board includes members of various civic organizations, businesses, religious groups, governments, education and health care:
Dr. Jacquelyn Cheatham-Terry – Floyd Primary Care Physician
Faith Collins –Business Owner, Rome Board of Education member
Edward Guzman – Cedartown City Manager
Sandra Hudson – Director, Rome/Floyd Housing Authority
Rev. Carey Ingram – Lovejoy Baptist Church
Frank Jones – Owner, F.K. Jones Funeral Home
James Lee – President, 100 Black Men of Rome
Dr. Pamela Obi – Floyd Family Medicine Residency Physician/Faculty Member
Sundai Stevenson – Rome City Commissioner
Susie Twyman – Retired Director of Nursing, NWGA Regional Hospital
Patsy Wade – Bereavement Coordinator, Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd
Marvin Williams – Retired Polk School District Superintendent
“We know there are disparities of care in the African American community and I just want to help bridge that gap,” Stevenson said. “I want to do anything I can do to help. The meetings are very positive and I think everyone has contributed.”
“These volunteers are working to find the best ways we can communicate heart-healthy messages and establish preventive programs in the community,” said Floyd President and CEO Kurt Stuenkel. “I am grateful for their willingness to donate their time and efforts to make a difference.”
While the effort takes on significance during February, which is American Heart Month, it is not a new initiative for Floyd, which has conducted screenings targeting blood pressure and diabetes in the community for more than two decades.