Heart Disease Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet it disproportionately affects people of color because of:

Barriers to accessing health care.
Educational inequities.
Social conditions and other factors that affect health and quality of life.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aim to improve representation of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors. UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute experts recognize that heart disease disproportionately affects minority populations and are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Upcoming Events

Check back for upcoming events.

About the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Diversity Council

Our heart and vascular experts are committed to partnering with community groups to overcome heart health disparities through:

Education.
Research.
Heart screenings.

For more information about health disparities, visit UPMC.com/healthdisparities.

Virtual Events

The Literary and Multi-Media Arts Club

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute presents the Literary and Multi-Media Arts Club (LMAC), a virtual forum designed to:

Promote a more inclusive environment.
Broaden the exposure and knowledge of diverse cultures.
Promote healthy work relations and enhance care delivery by recognizing and addressing bias.

Participants in this forum will:

Meet via Microsoft Teams three times per year.
Read or view previously selected pieces of literature or art.
Engage in robust and meaningful discussions, led by invited authors and subject matter experts, specifically focusing on their themes and applications into everyday professional life.

Please email HVIDiversityCouncil@upmc.edu to join or for more information.

On the forefront of heart health disparities

Katie Berlacher, MD.

Katie Berlacher, MD, medical director of the Magee-Women’s Heart Program, sits down to discuss heart health in the LGBTQ+ community.

Listen to the podcast

Malamo Countouris, MD.

Dr. Countouris has brown hair that is wavy and shoulder length. She is wearing a white blouse with a pearl necklace. She is smiling. Her eyes are brown.

Listen to this UPMC HealthBeat podcast featuring Dr. Countouris, who gives an overview of what women need to know to maintain a healthy heart.

Listen to the podcast

Tarryn Tertulien, MD.

Dr. Tertulien and other UPMC colleagues recently published research that revealed Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to get proper heart attack care.

Read the article

Latest heart health disparities research

UPMC has a commitment to advancing diversity and equity in heart and vascular medicine. Our experts publish novel heart health disparities research in national journals like the Journal of the American Heart Association.

A.J. Conrad Smith, MD, associate chief of cardiology for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Division of Cardiology, has worked to combat heart health disparities through various projects. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine created the Conrad Smith Leadership Council (CSLC) in honor of his service and exemplary work.
Kathryn Berlacher, MD, and Dr. Johnson worked with University of Texas-Southwestern and Duke University colleagues on an editorial. The published work highlighted the need for a more diverse heart health workforce.

Community Events and Heart Screenings

Check back for more UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute events.

Heart Disease Risk Factors in Women

The Connection Between Race and Heart Disease

Find a UPMC Heart Doctor Near You and Make an Appointment

Search for a heart and blood vessel expert near you at Find A Doctor.

If you already have a UPMC doctor, make an appointment through MyUPMC or your patient portal. Select your doctor and an appointment date and time that works for you, and you're all set!

Contact Us

Partner with the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Diversity Council on heart screenings and educational programs.
Learn more about heart health disparities in the U.S.

Fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our heart health experts.

First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number Zip Code Reason for Inquiry I am interested in partnering with UPMC for a heart screening or educational opportunity I am interested in receiving more information about heart health disparities I am interested in joining the Diversity Council

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