The Howard University School of Pharmacy chapters of Kappa Epsilon Professional Pharmacy Fraternity (ΚΕ) and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Incorporated (ΚΨ) held their Annual Heart 2 Heart Ball (H2H) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 7PM in Howard University’s Armour J. Blackburn Center Ballroom.
This effort, initiated by Dr. Khiana Willis, was created to raise awareness about women’s heart health in conjunction with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women Campaign. H2H, a School of Pharmacy tradition since 2008,was chaired by Kenya Lovett, a third-year student and member of ΚΕ and co-chaired by Maria Ricasa, a second year student and member of ΚΨ. The emcees of the evening were ΚΨ Regent Christyn Mullen and ΚΕ President Claude Manjo.
The event was semi-formal, and a crowd of 170 students, faculty, alumni, and other members of the community attended, wearing red dresses and ties in observance of heart disease awareness. Music, laughter, and important information surrounded guests as they enjoyed a three-course meal, followed by an evening of dancing.
China Terrell, JD, an Attorney and Commissioner on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Mt. Pleasant, MD was featured as the keynote speaker. Her captivating story begins with a checkup where her physician indicated that her resting heart rate was much higher than normal and at the age of 27, Terrell had open-heart surgery. She reminded attendees to always “monitor your heart rate” and to “listen to your body”.
Also in attendance was Gail Mates, National Spokeswoman for the Go Red for Women Campaign, who gave a riveting presentation on what it means to "Go Red", including her personal story about heart disease in her family.
Mr. Wendell Bunyan, Assistant Professor at the School of Pharmacy, entertained as our pianist and Shawdae Thorpe, a graduate student at the College of Education, serenaded the crowd with her melodious voice. Several pharmacy students with alumna Bukola Akinsiku, Pharm.D graced the dance floor with a beautiful traditional African dance, choreographed by Akinsiku.
Leading up to the event, several students participated in community projects to spread awareness of heart disease including the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk, 2011 NBC 4 Health Expo, as well as National Go Red Day. National Go Red Day was held on February 4 in which students conducted blood pressure screenings, gave valuable health information, and also distributed red dress pins, the symbol for Go Red For Women, to those that signed up for the campaign at Howard University Hospital.
Various fundraisers such as advertising space sold for the program book, a silent auction, and generous donations from corporate sponsors, including Rite Aid, CVS, Safeway, Wal-mart, SuperVALU/Shoppers, Grubb’s Pharmacy, AirTran, Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, and others, helped fund the festivities and raise money for the AHA. The Office of the Dean and Howard Pharmacy Alumni also contributed to the event. This year, the KE and ΚΨ Heart 2 Heart Committee donated over $2600 to the AHA.
For more details about the AHA's Go Red For Women campaign, visit www.goredforwomen.org.
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