Five Questions With: Dennis D. Keefe

"At Care New England Health System, we are dedicated to the advancement of clinical care, medical education and research, and we have adopted a new vision for our health care system of 'creating a community of healthier people.' "

Dennis D. Keefe, president and CEO of the Care New England Health System, will chair the American Heart Association’s Southern New England Heart Walk on June 7 at Station Park in Providence. Keefe was named to lead Care New England in the summer of 2011. He also serves on the boards of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Quality Institute and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. The AHA uses the funds raised to finance scientific research, conduct educational programs and advocate for public health. Here, Keefe discusses his role in leading the 2015 Heart Walk.

PBN: You are chairing the American Heart Association’s Southern New England Heart Walk on June 7. What role do you hope to have as chairman in promoting the event?
KEEFE:
Heart disease and stroke are the leading health threats in the United States and in Southern New England. Sadly, these diseases claim the lives of more than 17,000 people each year in Rhode Island and Massachusetts alone. But 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable. That’s why I am chairing the Heart Walk this year.
Together with our Executive Leadership Committee, which is composed of healthcare colleagues and local business leaders, we will all work to recruit new companies to form teams and to sponsor the Heart Walk. In addition, it is my hope that we will attract a very large team of walkers and leaders from Care New England Health System to make the event a success.

PBN: What is the benefit to the health care system in Rhode Island from an event like this?
KEEFE:
At Care New England Health System, we are dedicated to the advancement of clinical care, medical education and research, and we have adopted a new vision for our health care system of “creating a community of healthier people.” We believe this vision resonates for all Rhode Islanders. We also know that by raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association’s mission of “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke” that we are aligning and advancing our missions and visions in our local communities.

PBN: What do you believe are the advantages of moving the walk to downtown Providence?
KEEFE:
This will be the first time in 25 years that the event will take place in the capital city of Providence. There are several advantages to hosting the Southern New England Heart Walk in this central location. It will allow for easier travel from all regions in Rhode Island and Southeastern, Mass., and there is ample parking in and around the walk route. We also believe hosting the Heart Walk in Providence will help us draw from a wider and more diverse pool of corporate sponsors, walkers and volunteers from throughout the area.

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PBN: Four thousand people participated last year. How many participants are you aiming to involve this year and what are you doing to attract them?
KEEFE:
Now in its 26th year, the Southern New England Heart Walk has drawn around 3,500 to 4,000 walkers every year. In 2015, it is our hope to increase that number by building strong teams from businesses across the region as well as from the general public.
In an effort to realize a strong show of support, media sponsors like Clear Channel Radio and NBC10 will be helping to spread this message through public service announcements. In addition, [various] publications will feature large Heart Walk ads to engage new and repeat participants.
Of course, Care New England will be turning out in force with strong teams from Care New England Corporate, Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital, and the VNA of Care New England. Most other major healthcare organizations in Rhode Island are on our executive committee, and I know I can count on their strong support as well. We all want a highly successful June 7th Heart Walk, which is the goal we all share in our coming together.

PBN: How much money does this walk raise typically? How much do you hope to raise and how will you put it to use?
KEEFE:
Last year, the Southern New England Heart Walk brought in about $445,000 to support the mission of the American Heart Association. In order to continue raising awareness and educating our community to have an active lifestyle, maintain a heart-healthy diet, manage risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, the AHA and all of us have created a new vision, “the “March to a Million.” We can make a large impact on that goal this year through the Heart Walk. We have therefore set a $500,000 goal this year which we, of course, would like to surpass.
We are all aware that the generous donations that we raise will support cutting-edge research that could deliver the next major scientific breakthrough for heart disease and stroke patients. That’s pretty inspiring!

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