Engagement 365: Member Spotlight

One of the most important benefits of being a member of the American Heart Association and the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention (CVRI) is the ability to network within a very multidisciplinary international society. I am a cardiothoracic radiologist and it is at the American Heart Association's Annual Scientific Meeting where I get to meet professionals outside of my own specialty who are also interested in multi-modality cardiovascular imaging. Being a member of CVRI has also led to incredible leadership opportunities that have helped me build my academic career but have also helped me grow as a person. Because CVRI is a relatively small council, it is very easy to become engaged and have my voice be heard. I can be as involved as I want to be!  Within larger societies and councils, it is very easy to get lost in the shuffle. Within CVRI, I feel very welcome and fortunate to work with leaders in our field, who constantly inspire and motivate me ....and we have amazing administrative support. 

I was already familiar with the American Heart Association's work in public health education and community outreach, as I collaborated with the Massachusetts' American Heart Association branch while I was a consultant for the state's Department of Public Health. Later on when I was a postdoc, I presented one of my research papers at the American Heart Association's Epi/Lifestyle Conference. I LOVED every second of that conference! From the breadth and depth of the outstanding research presented, to the connections made and that I still cultivate. That conference opened my eyes of the important work that American Heart Association does at both fronts: patient/population CV health as well as research. I have been engaged with the organization in various capacities ever since, and I'll always be!

I am an academic researcher, professor, and public health practitioner. Getting here was not a linear, smooth journey. I worked outside academia, I've been in multiple institutions, and I still fluctuate in various roles. Yet, these varied experiences have informed my expertise in heart health from multiple perspectives, so I appreciate every one of them. While I cherish every experience (yes, even the bad ones have taught me many lessons), a huge highlight of my career was launching my first large project as Principal Investigator. I created and now lead PROSPECT, a cohort study on CVD health in Puerto Rico that is still going strong and that was my dream since graduate school. The project opened the door to new projects (including PRECISION, my own clinical trial!), connected me to new colleagues, and taught me resilience, determination, and management skills that have made me a better mentor and researcher. 

Gain and learn something out of every task and experience that comes your way. Research and medical careers are long and rocky, but that's when we grow and learn the most. While some situations may seem like a huge boulder in your way to success, in the long run, they are just little pebbles that you can kick aside and move on. More importantly, be kind to everyone in your path....no exceptions. 

Spending time with my family; hiking with (and spoiling) my dog; running (road and obstacle races); taking a break whenever I can sneak one!

I became a member of AHA in early 2019. I was looking for an organization that was centered on making an impact on the devastating burden that cardiovascular disease is and considers lifestyle medicine in that approach. Now in 2025, I am overwhelmed by the impact this organization has had on my career. I've experienced priceless mentorship, cultivated several amazing collaborative research efforts that have become friendships, and had the honor of contributing to Scientific Statements with researchers that I have admired for years. I sincerely thank Dr. Jerry Jerome for encouraging me to be involved and his dedication to my organizational involvement and Dr. Bethany Barone-Gibbs for her incredible mentorship and encouragement over the last 5 years. In the future, I would love to serve/mentor new and early career members, especially those who come from more teaching-based institutions, in how they can make an impact in this amazing organization. 

Shriie Ganesh, an MD candidate from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has been recognized as the top-scoring scholar in Student Scholarships in Cardiovascular Disease category, surpassing all other applications. Ganesh will be conducting her research mentored by Pradeep Natarajan, MD, MMSc, at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute.

As the top-scoring applicant, Ganesh earned the distinction of Howard S. Silverman Scholar and received an additional $1,000 stipend. Dr. Silverman, despite severe heart problems, maintained a positive outlook, an active research program, and often served as mentor to medical students, residents, and cardiology fellows.

Ganesh’s research topic is “Investigating the Genetic Links Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease.”

Statement from Shriie Ganesh: I'm honored to receive the AHA Student Scholarship in Cardiovascular Disease and grateful to be supported by the Natarajan Lab and CWRU School of Medicine. This award will further my research on women's cardiovascular health, an area of medicine in need of deeper understanding.

One of the things that has struck me most in working with AHA is that AHA volunteers and staff have an incredibly strong sense of mission – many of us have had personal experience with loved ones and cardiovascular disease and that is a really strong motivator. I never cease to be amazed by the passion for making a difference of the people I meet working with AHA

AHA has so many strengths as a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving health for all Americans – it has been energizing to have the opportunity to be part of a number of really amazing teams

I have greatly enjoyed having the opportunity to be the Science Lead for AHA’s Health Care by Food Initiative – for too long the health system has underappreciated the importance of diet to health; building stronger evidence on what types of programs are effective and cost effective for different populations can change that

In July of 2021 I had a sudden cardiac arrest – were it not for the prompt actions of heroic first responders including my daughters coaches John and Gina and the paramedics from Norwood (Cincinnati) and the excellent care I received at the University of Cincinnati I wouldn’t be here today. I am grateful for the work that paramedics and other clinicians and researchers do every day and for the support of organizations like AHA that makes ongoing progress in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease possible. This experience motivates me every day to try to make a difference to improve the lives of others.

Family: I have a wonderful wife, Marjorie, and 3 amazing daughters – Anna, Thea, and Daphne.  When I think of them I smile.

The American Heart Association has been imperative to my training and early career years as a cardiologist and physician-scientist. I would encourage all trainees and early career physicians to engage in the many opportunities AHA has made available to us. Some of my most meaningful engagements were through:

Fellows-In-Training Committee- being among the leadership for the FIT committee, I was able to collaborator alongside many ambitious cardiology and neurology fellows across the country to create FIT directed content through newsletter writing and webinars. We also had the great privilege to devise and execute all of the FIT lounge sessions during the AHA annual scientific sessions. This was a tremendous opportunity to practice moderating, to network with the top leaders in cardiovascular medicine, and to hear stories from a diverse set of voices on a range of topics in a smaller group, interactive setting.

Career Development Award- as an early career scientist, the AHA’s career development award has invested in both protecting my time for scientific development as well as funding and administrative support as a principal investigator of a multi-site cardiac MRI study examining hypertensive phenotypes in peripartum cardiomyopathy. As this is an uncommon but highly morbid disease impacting pregnant and postpartum individuals, I was honored that the AHA recognized the importance of investing in research toward improved care for this condition.

Grant Peer Reviewer- the AHA has a fantastic opportunity for physician-scientists to serve as a grant peer review volunteers. This has been a wonderful way to both learn about interesting projects being developed and to better understand how to critically appraise project proposals. This learning process has further been extended into reviewing manuscripts for AHA affiliated journals.

Go Red Women’s Committee- as a women physician-scientist, I am honored to serve on a committee which both recognizes and seeks to address challenges that may arise among women physicians. This committee has brought together a fantastic group of healthcare professionals who are all committed to AHA’s mission in: “Advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”

I encourage all young cardiologists to explore the many ways that the AHA can help to achieve your career aspirations as a physician and/or physician scientist! I am incredibly grateful for their volunteer opportunities and support.

After 35 years of a life invested in the heart and torch, three lessons learned –

1) The American Heart Association and the American Storke Association do good work. Aristotle established the goal of living: ”… to serve and to do good”. We save lives, prevent disease and improve life. We answer the higher calling
2) We volunteer. “Volunteer” is of Latin origin, “voluntaries”, meaning of one’s free will. By definition, this is passion work. We work not for our own gain but for the gain of others. Our reward is in the altruistic gifts we offer and our ethic is that of servant leaders
3) The work, the mission, the thrust are relentless; how else could we have reduced the risk of death by 50% in recent decade? No other entity, federal or otherwise, for any other condition is even close.  

And given my deep South origins, here is your lagniappe- we have fun; we meet the most interesting people, build the most dynamic connections and relish in the joy of hard work.  We are now and will always be relevant. 

The American Heart Association is deeply embedded in my own DNA. 

The friends and colleagues who I get the chance to interact with are, by far, the best part of my involvement with AHA.  AHA is my scientific and clinical practice home, and being able to connect with great clinicians and impactful scientists, is something I value.  When we come together, and work together, we have the chance to make new discoveries and to improve the care of children and adults with heritable cardiovascular disease.

AHA has been a catalyst in my career.   I got my start as a scientist with an AHA Predoctoral Fellowship when I was a graduate student, and I have benefited from my involvement since.   The American Heart Association (AHA) engages in a wide range of activities, from funding cardiovascular research to sponsoring the development of clinical practice consensus statements. Through my involvement with the AHA, I have had the opportunity to meet new friends, advocate for best practices in the care of individuals with hereditary cardiovascular disease, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

For trainees and early career faculty, I recommended picking a home within the AHA by joining one of the AHA Councils.  I belong to the Council on Genomic & Precision Medicine as well as the Young Hearts Council.  Checkout, and possibly join, the Early Career Committee of the Council, where you will be connected to likeminded and enthusiastic colleagues.  Then, get involved.  Jump into the many ways to volunteer with AHA, whether it is joining a committee or helping to review abstracts submitted to the AHA Scientific Sessions.  Don’t forget about using AHA as a platform for your science.  Consider applying for a Young Investigator Award or presenting your work at Sessions or at one of the smaller specialty meetings.