The Heart Health Foundation, a beacon of hope dedicated to combating heart and vascular disease

The Heart Health Foundation
A Lifeline to Heart Health Prevention

In the late hours of a seemingly ordinary evening, Dr. John Martin, MD, MBA, FACS, a seasoned vascular surgeon, faced a harrowing succession of emergencies: a fatal ruptured aneu­rysm, a stroke from carotid artery plaque, and a cardiac arrest. These life-threatening incidents highlight the crucial work done by the Heart Health Foundation.

Each patient’s condition was preventable, revealing a grim reality in healthcare — too often, treatment is a race against time that could have been preempted with early detection. This pivotal night sparked a transformative idea in Dr. Martin’s mind, leading to the creation of The Heart Health Foundation (HHF), a beacon of hope dedicated to combating heart and vascular diseases through proactive measures, now known as the Heart Health Foundation.

How It All Started

Dr. John Martin was inspired to start The Heart Health Foundation in 2000 after a particularly hard day at the hospital, witnessing three patients die from complications due to cardiovascular disease. Each of these lives could have been saved if their conditions had been detected and treated before the emergencies that brought them to the hospital.

On his drive home that night, Dr. Martin decided to take action. The next day, he informed his team about his vision for a screening program that would be different: it would be free, accompanied by extensive education, easy to understand, and not aimed at gener­ating referrals for his practice. Instead, the focus was on sending patients back to their primary care doctors with the necessary information to manage their health. Thus, The Heart Health Foundation and the Dare to C.A.R.E. (DTC) initiative were born.

The Scourge of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, claiming approximately 17.9 million lives each year according to the World Health Organization.

In the United States, one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. In 2022, 702,880 people died from heart disease. That’s the equivalent of 1 in every 5 deaths. These statistics underscore the critical need for prevention and early detection, as stressed by the Heart Health Foundation initiatives.

Mission of The Heart Health Foundation

At its core, HHF is committed to saving lives by reducing the inci­dence and impact of heart disease, particularly in at-risk and under­served communities. The foundation’s mission is twofold: to offer free screenings that can detect heart and vascular diseases before they become life-threatening, and to provide educational programs that empower individuals to take charge of their heart health.

The free screening program, Dare to C.A.R.E. (Carotid Artery, Abdominal Aorta, Renal Artery, Extremity Artery Disease), is a cornerstone of this mission. It’s designed to transform community health dynamics by making prevention accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status. Since its inception, nearly 70,000 Anne Arundel County residents have been screened for risks of cardiovascular disease, showcasing the dedication of the Heart Health Foundation.

From Citizen to Patient to Director: Elaine Furgeson’s Journey

Elaine Furgeson’s journey with HHF is both personal and inspirational. Today, she is the Executive Director of HHF, a position she has held for 19 years, but that’s not how she started. Her involvement began with her daughter, who worked at the hospital and volunteered with the Dare to C.A.R.E. program.

Elaine recalls those early days vividly: “My daughter worked at the hospital and worked with the program a little bit; she was volunteering. We used to do these big night lectures, and the next night we would do a screening.” It was during one of these screenings that Elaine’s own life took an unexpected turn.

Her daughter had urged her father to attend a screening, knowing the family’s history of cardiovascular disease. Elaine didn’t plan to go herself, convinced that she had no risk factors. But when her daughter insisted, saying, “Mom, if I sign you up, he will prob­ably go,” Elaine agreed, despite her reservations. “She signed me up, even though I shouldn’t have gone. Guess whose carotids were 99% blocked? It was me. I could not believe it,” Elaine says, still struck by the shock of the discovery.

The diagnosis came as a complete surprise to Elaine, who had been in her early fifties at the time. “I was in such a state of shock, I went into shock and had to be rushed to the emergency room. Two weeks later, I had the surgery.” This life-altering experience not only saved her life but also led her to become deeply involved with HHF.

Dr. Martin recognized Elaine’s potential to inspire others through her story. He invited her to share her experience, and she quickly became a powerful advocate for HHF. Under the guidance of Elaine Furgeson, HHF has flourished, expanding its reach and deepening its impact. Furgeson, who brings a wealth of experience in non-profit management and a deep passion for community health, has been instrumental in driving the foundation’s programs. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of community well-being, ensuring that the foundation’s activities are both effective and inclusive.

The Role of Chesapeake Medical Imaging

Chesapeake Medical Imaging, under the leadership of Dr. Mark Baganz, has been a key partner in the Dare to C.A.R.E. initiative for over four years. Dr. Baganz, who has known Dr. Martin for many years, was immediately drawn to the Foundation’s mission.

“We’ve admired the organization for many years and were honored to work with them,” Dr. Baganz says. “Dr. Martin has an impeccable reputation for doing great work professionally and is very involved in philanthropic causes. Vascular disease is epidemic in this country, especially in certain communities. The fact that there is a charitable organization providing free screenings with no strings attached is a testament to Dr. Martin and everyone in the Heart Health Foundation.”

This partnership has been particularly impactful in areas with high vascular disease risk, such as Prince George’s County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Chesapeake Medical Imaging provides the necessary equipment and facilities to ensure these communities receive the care they need.

The Cornerstone of HHF: Free Screening Events

A cornerstone of HHF’s strategy is its free screening events, which have become a hallmark of the foundation’s efforts to combat heart disease. These events are held quarterly and begin with an educational lecture followed by a day of screenings. The format is designed to not only assess but also to educate participants about their health status and risks.

Dr. Martin likens the effort to “emptying the ocean with a spoon,” a metaphor for the daunting task of tackling heart disease one individual at a time. However, through persistent efforts and community engagement, these events have grown in scale and efficacy, drawing more participants and garnering community support.

Through extensive fundraising and community collaboration, Dr. Martin and his team have enabled HHF to offer these lifesaving services. The screenings are comprehensive, checking for common yet deadly conditions like aneurysms and artery blockages, which, if caught early, can be managed with a high rate of success, significantly benefiting individuals screened by the Heart Health Foundation.

The Heart Health Foundation exemplifies the power of proac­tive healthcare. Through its free screening events, educational programs, and dedicated leadership, HHF is not just treating diseases — it’s preventing them, thereby reshaping the narrative of cardiovascular health in at-risk and underserved communities.

As the Heart Health Foundation continues to expand its reach, its impact echoes Dr. Martin’s initial realization: the real solution to combating cardio­vascular disease lies not in treating the condition, but in preventing it before it strikes.