Northeast Wisconsin health executive to lead fight against heart disease
APPLETON, Wis. (July 22, 2025) – Michael Bergmann, president of Ascension – Northeast Wisconsin Hospitals, will lead the charge as the 2025 Fox Cities Heart Walk Chair to build a community of lifesavers in the area.
Led by Bergmann, top executives throughout northeast Wisconsin will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.
The American Heart Association, which has been saving lives for more than 100 years, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die [1], yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival [2]. Bergmann and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in northeast Wisconsin are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.
“The Heart Walk gives people across northeast Wisconsin an incredible opportunity to take action on a critical health issue in our community,” said Tracy Duerr, executive director of the American Heart Association in outstate Wisconsin. “Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere — and survival often depends on someone nearby stepping in. Through the Heart Walk, we’re not just raising funds; we’re raising awareness, training more people in CPR and building a stronger network of lifesavers. With Michael’s leadership, we’re confident this year’s campaign will make an even bigger impact and help save more lives.”
The Heart Walk, active in more than 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Wisconsin. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
"This cause is close to my heart because like many, I also have loved ones who have been and are affected by heart disease and stroke, including a grandfather who passed from a condition caused by an enlarged heart,” Bergmann said.
The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.
The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, where hundreds of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people.
Sponsors of the 2025 campaign include Ascension, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and Gold Cross Ambulance. Companies interested in participating can contact Mark Charter at Mark.Charter@Heart.org.
For more information about the Fox Cities Heart Walk, visit NortheastWisconsinHeartWalk.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 100 years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, AHA funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health policies, and provides critical resources to improve cardiovascular health and reduce stroke risks. Learn more at heart.org and connect with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Travis Sloan: Travis.Sloan@Heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123 (2023 American Heart Association Stats Update)
[2] Association of Bystander and First‐Responder Efforts and Outcomes According to Sex: Results From the North Carolina
