The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation is excited to announce Happy Heart Day, an important event dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and promoting well-being across the community. Happening on February 21, 2025, at Centenary Methodist Church in Danville, Kentucky, this event coincides with Heart Health Month and will feature both free and ticketed activities, making it accessible and engaging for all attendees.
At the heart of the event, for the second year in a row, is Health Hall, a free, ticketless area where participants can explore sponsor booths and enjoy interactive exhibits focused on health and wellness. Health Hall will provide a variety of resources, offering valuable information on how to improve heart health and live a healthier life. Attendees can connect with organizations that share health-related products, services, and support, making this a prime opportunity for local engagement and education.
Inside the Health Hall, guests will have the opportunity to choose from a series of breakout sessions, each led by a respected healthcare expert. These sessions will cover a range of topics vital to heart health, including obesity, diabetes, mental health, sleep, nutrition, and fitness. These educational sessions aim to provide attendees with key insights and practical strategies for improving and maintaining heart health.
Breakout sessions led by distinguished healthcare professionals, such as:
- Dr. Gbolahan Ogunbayo, Interventional Cardiologist
- Dr. Tin Tran, Bariatric and General Surgeon
- Beth Alvey, APRN, FNP-C, Weight Loss Management
- Dr. Brian Ellis, Family Medicine
- Dr. Jason Bowman, Critical Care Medicine
- Dr. Klark Turpen, Sleep Medicine Specialist, and Jennifer Daniel, APRN
- Jessica Byrd, DSW, LCSW-S- Psychiatry
- Janet Fluty, Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
In addition to the complimentary Health Hall, guests can make a $25 contribution to the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. that will give them access to the Happy Heart Luncheon. This hour long segment includes:
- Live Food Demonstration and Heart-Healthy Meal: During lunch, attendees will enjoy a live food demonstration where experts will showcase heart-healthy recipes and meal prep ideas, followed by a delicious heart-healthy meal.
- Panel Discussions: Featuring breakout session speakers and moderated by Dr. Lynne W. Lynn, Hospital Administrator at Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital and Ephraim McDowell James B. Haggin Hospital, and VP of the Ephraim McDowell Commonwealth Cancer Center. As a heart attack survivor, Dr. Lynn brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the discussions.
- Swag Bag: Attendees will receive a swag bag filled with valuable items, including a 7-day membership to McDowell Wellness Center, offering opportunities to explore fitness and wellness options that support heart health, along with other surprises.
“Happy Heart Day is an opportunity to empower rural Kentuckians with knowledge and tools to improve heart health. Our Community Needs Assessment revealed that issues like mental health, diabetes, and obesity exist, which significantly affect heart health. This event provides education and connections with healthcare providers that could save lives,” said Executive Director of the Foundation, Laura Richard.
Tickets, sponsorship details, and a complete event schedule are available at emhealth.org/health-care-foundation/happy-heart-day. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Laura Richard at LDrichard@emhealth.org.
Join us on February 21 for a day of education, prevention, and community support as we work together for a healthier, happier future. Contributions to the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.