Skip to Main Content
Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms
A map of Florida.

Florida advocates unite to pass heart health initiatives

Eight Florida leaders have been appointed to the American Heart Association’s 2024-2025 Statewide Advocacy Committee. Yvette Lowery, DNP, will serve as chairperson of the committee.

“I have served on the State Advocacy Committee for a number of years, and I feel personally connected to work of the American Heart Association,”  Lowery said. “I am proud to serve alongside my fellow committee members and will be dedicated in our work to develop equitable health policies in Florida.”

During Florida’s 2024 legislative session, the committee’s work was instrumental in the passage of HB 865, which requires school athletics coaches to receive regular CPR and AED training. Each year, an estimated 23,000 people under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals, and it’s a leading cause of death for student-athletes. If treated with an automated external defibrillator or CPR within the first few minutes, cardiac arrest can be reversed.

Throughout the next year, committee members will support the advancement of legislative policy priorities including cardiac emergencies on school grounds, Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors, as well as policies relating to nutrition security and tobacco cessation. Together, these volunteers will guide the Association’s efforts to change systems and policies, address disparities and transform health care across the state.

2024-2025 Florida Advocacy Committee:

  • Chair Yvette Lowery, DNP, MSN/Ed., (Jacksonville), Florida Regional Medical Center (emergency room)
  • Latrecia Waters, (Jacksonville), Jacksonville Fireand Rescue
  • M. DallasCooke, DNP, (Jacksonville), Jacksonville Fire and Rescue
  • Vice Chair Crystal Collins Spencer, (Pensacola), Spencer Law
  • Past Chair Marsha Kiner (Gainesville), Children’s Trust of Alachua County
  • Frank Fernandez (Miami), chief of police (retired)
  • John Mouw (Miami), Baptist Health South Florida
  • Robert Sanchez, M.D. (St. Petersburg), The Heart Institute

“I am honored to work with the State Advocacy Committee and I know their expertise, experiences and passion will be valuable in supporting the American Heart Association’s policy work in Florida throughout the year,” said Tiffany McCaskill Henderson, Florida government relations director for the American Heart Association.