Greater Philadelphia AHA Board Chair leads campaign to improve health in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, February 4, 2025 — For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of Philadelphia’s Heart Ball campaign, Sarah E. Bouchard, volunteer chairperson and chair of the American Heart Association (AHA) Greater Philadelphia Board of Directors, and partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in Philadelphia has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart Ball celebrates hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s efforts to make an impact on the health of the community. These efforts encompass the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, advocacy for public policy change, promotion of equitable health for under-resourced and underrepresented populations, and education to empower the community to take control of their health.
“Sarah’s demonstration of outstanding leadership and dedication, a deep understanding of community needs and a personal drive to make a difference, positions her so well to lead this critical campaign for our mission,” says Jennifer Litchman-Green, executive director, Greater Philadelphia American Heart Association. “We are thrilled to have Sarah leading the Heart of Philadelphia Campaign, which ensures our mission has the support needed to advance our work in communities like Philadelphia, through our research, advocacy, community collaborations and public awareness.”
In her role at Morgan Lewis, Bouchard handles tough cases of harassment, whistleblowing, and trade secrets. She co-leads the whistleblower group and deals with regulatory issues. Sarah also leads the Title IX taskforce, focusing on discrimination and sexual harassment in schools. She conducts internal investigations on workplace misconduct and advises employers on how to respond and defend against lawsuits.
“As a longtime AHA volunteer with a deeply personal connection to heart disease and stroke, I’m honored to serve as the 2025 Philadelphia Heart Ball Chair,” said Bouchard. “I’m eager to continue work with our outstanding team of American Heart Association volunteers and staff to drive change by removing barriers to health, investing in groundbreaking research, delivering impactful health education, and advocating for healthy policies. It takes a village to make a lasting impact, and we must do whatever it takes to create a better tomorrow for all people in Greater Philadelphia.”
The 2025 Philadelphia Heart Ball is proudly sponsored by Penn Medicine as Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure Collaborator; Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas as Live Fierce. Community Readiness. Sponsors; Infor and Jefferson as Legacy Sponsors; and QVC as the National Life Is Why Campaign Supporter. This annual event, to be held on Saturday, March 22, at the National Constitution Center, is a night to celebrate the AHA’s mission and the volunteers and supporters that make it possible.
Soma and Sowmya Somasundaram will be recognized as the Heart of Philadelphia Honorees at the Heart Ball for their championing of the AHA mission in the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond, their work with the AHA and community-based organizations to address nutrition insecurity and their support of opportunities for the next generation of women in STEM.
Renowned University of Pennsylvania behavioral health researcher Kevin Volpp, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, will be recognized as the 2025 Edward S. Cooper Award Recipient on March 22. Volpp is the founding director of the Penn Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE), and the Mark V. Pauly President’s Distinguished Professor at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School.
Throughout the evening, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing, and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Philadelphia Heart Ball, visit Annette Weidenfeld Associate Vice President, Heart Ball, at Annette.Weidenfeld@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Trish Bradley:
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
