Cardiovascular Screenings and Community Education

To help prevent heart and blood vessel diseases, UPMC formed the Community Outreach and Cardiovascular Health (COACH) Program.

COACH's heart health experts work with the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Diversity Council to offer these heart-healthy resources:

• Community partnerships to combat heart health disparities.
• Free heart screenings and events.
• Heart disease prevention and community outreach programs.
• Kids' heart health education programs.

Resources for providers

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute's Clinical Biostatistics Core supports heart and CT surgery researchers by providing high-quality data collection and analysis.

Upcoming Events

Ladies Day Out

A women’s health program focused on wellness and pampering. Experts from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute will also be available for blood pressure and cholesterol screening. 

If you’d like to attend, please register at UPMC.com/LadiesDayOut.

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Time: Noon  to 1:30 p.m.
Place: 131 Colonial Manor Road, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 (Stratigos Banquet Centre)

Arsenal Wellness Fair

Experts from UPMC will be visiting the Arsenal Middle School Gymnasium for "Take Your Father to School Day" and will provide educational sessions on wellness. 

Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Arsenal Middle School Gymnasium in Lawrenceville

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh  – East Liberty

Join experts from UPMC for a blood pressure and cholesterol screening and an "Ask the Expert" educational session.

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center

McKeesport Community Day

Join experts from UPMC for a blood pressure and cholesterol screening and an "Ask the Expert" educational session.

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Place: McKeesport Senior High School

Cardiovascular Experts in the Heart of Your Community

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute educators can speak at your school, place of worship, work, or other community groups.

We cover these topics and more:

• Healthy eating and lifestyle.
• Heart disease prevention.
• Heart health disparities.
• Living with heart disease.
• Women's heart disease.

Contact us at 1-855-876-2484 for more on topics, fees, and scheduling.

Meet the UPMC Heart and Vascular Team

Our COACH team includes:

• Kathryn Berlacher, MD: Director, Magee-Womens Heart Program
• Pam Johnson: Administrative Manager.
• Michael Mathier, MD: Clinical director, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.
• Tim Powell:Unit director, UPMC Presbyterian Cath Lab.
• Tracey Ryan: Vice President, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.

Our Diversity Council team includes:

• Lisa Holt: Director, Operations.
• A.J. Conrad Smith, MD: Associate chief of cardiology for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Division of Cardiology.
• Amber Johnson, MD: Cardiologist.
• Tim Powell: Unit director, UPMC Presbyterian Cath Lab.
• Brittney Moore: Cardiology nurse manager.

Learn more about the Diversity Council.

Other members of our clinical and administrative teams like fellows, nurses, and other specialists also volunteer their time at our programs and events.

Additional Resources

• Visit our Health Library: Heart and Circulation
• Amber Johnson, MD, discusses the relationship between heart disease and race during this KDKA interview.
• Amber Johnson, MD, discusses her latest research on heart health disparities during this Soul Pitt interview.