Five Questions With: Melissa Cummings

Melissa Cummings, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, was named 2017 American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon chair. / COURTESY BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND
Melissa Cummings, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, was named 2017 American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon chair. / COURTESY BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND

Melissa Cummings, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, was named 2017 American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon chair. The Southern New England Go Red For Women Luncheon is an annual event highlighting cardiovascular health and strokes, the No. 1 and 5 killers of women. The event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

PBN: How long have you been involved with the American Heart Association, and why did you choose to become involved, especially, with the Go Red For Women Campaign?
CUMMINGS:
I supported Go Red when I lived in Hartford, Conn., and was thrilled to continue my connection when I relocated to Rhode Island. Heart health is such a critical ingredient to overall well-being and the work the American Heart Association does aligns well with the work I do at Blue Cross & Blue Shield. At its core, Go Red For Women is about empowering all Rhode Islanders to make smart choices and work closely with their physicians to take control of their health.

PBN: As a woman, why do you think it is important to raise awareness of heart disease and strokes, and what facts do you wish more women knew about them?
CUMMINGS:
We still need to raise awareness that these diseases are responsible for the death of one woman every 80 seconds. Awareness is crucial as is expanding the circle of support around women so that, collectively, we can encourage the adoption of small lifestyle changes, which can dramatically reduce risk.

PBN: Why is it important for women to come together and present a united front against these diseases?
CUMMINGS:
Women coming together to support an important issue is not a new idea. Women are often the health care decision-makers in a household. As the mother of two daughters, I see it as my responsibility to teach them healthy habits at an early age. Together, women are powerful. Not only can we make changes in our own lives, but we can influence our families, friends and communities to eat healthier, move more, get screened and build a strong relationship with our primary care physician.

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PBN: What do you think of the theme, and message behind, this year’s event – “Cross Your Heart … and Start?”
CUMMINGS:
It conveys the critical message that preventing heart disease and stroke doesn’t require overhauling your lifestyle in a day. It feels possible and achievable. Small steps toward wellness, even changes as simple as choosing water over soda or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, add up. The science of healthy habits reinforces the idea of starting small and committing to yourself and to others that you will take action.

PBN: What are your goals for the upcoming event and what do you want attendees to take away?
CUMMINGS:
Our goal is to raise $335,000 to fund lifesaving research and prevention programs to help women live longer, healthier lives. We want everyone there, and everyone who hears about it, to know that living healthy comes down to making small, simple choices. It’s a fantastic way to commit yourself to take action! Healthy choices can be satisfying and fun and if every woman – every mother, sister, daughter, friend and colleague – all promised to make one small change for better heart health, imagine the lasting impact we might have together.

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