On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, East Georgia Regional Medical Center (EGRMC) invited the Statesboro community and surrounding counties to their annual heart healthy awareness event, ‘Hearts, Hats and Heels - Heart Healthy Lunch and Learn.’
EGRMC welcomed 40+ guests to discuss the importance of heart health, prevention strategies, and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease. Guests were encouraged to wear red in recognition of American Heart Month.
Following brief introductions, the guests enjoyed a delicious heart healthy lunch catered and served by the hospital's Lillie's Courtyard Cafe staff. Selections included grilled mesquite flank steak, Tuscan grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, cinnamon-kissed sweet potatoes, and applesauce infused brownies topped with whipped cream and strawberry.
The event featured informative presentations by Bryan Realiza, Centers of Excellence Accreditation Manager at EGRMC and Board Chair at Statesboro YMCA, and keynote speaker Dr. Sreevalli Dega, a board-certified family medicine physician, owner of Statesboro Urgent Care, and member of EGRMC's Board of Trustees.
Realiza spoke on the the rural trends of cardiovascular disease.
“Bulloch County ranks as one of the top counties for cardiovascular deaths, based on its size," shared Realiza.
Realiza said that EGRMC offers a free cardiac program for individuals who graduate from Cardiac Rehabilitation. This program builds on what participants learned during rehab and helps create lifelong exercise habits. The YMCA offers a program called ‘Heart Works’ for individuals at risk of having a heart attack.This preventative program introduces exercises and daily activities to help reduce the overall risk of heart disease.
Dr. Sreevalli Dega focused on women's cardiovascular health, risk factors, prevention, and the role of stress in cardiac health. She encouraged women to "Go Red" for heart health, emphasizing the importance of knowing personal health numbers, staying active, managing stress, and understanding the impact of life stages such as motherhood and menopause.
"These are all important phases of our life that need our attention and love to stay healthy for our families and children," Dr. Dega stressed to the guests. "I'm an advocate of heart health for women; we have unique risk factors. Go Red!”
Stephen Pennington, CEO of EGRMC, spoke at the event, as well.
”We are committed to empowering our community with the knowledge and resources needed to live healthier lives," Pennington said. "Events like ‘Hearts Hats and Heels’ are a vital part of our mission, especially in a rural area where access to specialized healthcare education can be limited. We are proud to provide opportunities to learn from experts like Dr. Sreevalli Dega, who shared invaluable tips for preventing cardiac disease, and Bryan Realiza, who emphasized the importance of recognizing heart attack and stroke symptoms."
Pennington emphasized that education is the key to early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Several attendees shared how informative and insightful the lunch and learn was, marking a first step or continued steps toward living a heart healthy lifestyle.
To complete a heart risk assessment and learn more about cardiac care at EGRMC, click here.