Queen Latifah to Be Honored at 7th Annual 'Spirit of The Heart' Awards Gala

The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) will honor Queen Latifah, née Dana Owens along with other distinguished honorees at its seventh annual "Spirit of the Heart" Awards Gala this Saturday, October 1st at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 E. 42nd Street- NY, NY 10017) - 7pm (Media Hour - 6:15pm). The event will benefit ABC's ongoing clinical research, "Spirit of the Heart" community outreach, and advocacy for heart disease prevention. Proceeds will also support the education of underrepresented minorities in the field of cardiology through ABC's fellowship awards. Celebrity Screen Actor and Health Advocate Lamman Rucker will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Other special highlights include music entertainment and the attendance of notable industry leaders, patient advocates, celebs and allied healthcare professionals.

Multi-talented entertainer Queen Latifah will be honored with the ABC Health Promotions and Heart Disease Prevention Award for her active promotion of preventative care and advancement of reduction in cardiovascular disease disparities. Inspired by her mother Rita Owens' positive management of heart failure Latifah has been an effective voice in heart health advocacy.

ABC President and former Awards Gala Chair, Dr. Barbara Hutchinson remarks, "The cooperative efforts of ABC and its partners are fundamental to inspiring and guiding our nation towards eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity for all. We are proud of our honorees and their efforts to increase workforce diversity; advance advocacy and patient engagement initiatives; mentor aspiring doctors and serve in academic leadership. "

The prestigious celebration of life will honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the field of cardiology. Each honoree will be recognized for facilitating partnerships with public, private and social sectors to build cohesive communities dedicated to the advancement of health equity and/or the elimination of cardiovascular disease disparities in the delivery of healthcare.

Other distinguished recipients including: Michael J. Dowling - President and Chief Executive Officer, Northwell Health (ABC Spirit of the Heart Award); LUTHER T. Clark, MD - Global Director, Scientific Medical and Patient Perspective; Office of the Chief Patient Officer, Merck and Co., (ABC Distinguished Leadership Award); Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD - Director, The Mount Sinai Heart; Physician in- Chief, The Mt. Sinai Medical Hospital, Professor (Dr. Walter M. Booker, Sr. Health Promotion Award); Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC accepted by Ed Schutter, CEO (ABC Health Equity Award); Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University accepted by Vincent J.B. Robinson, MD (ABC Diversity in Cardiology Award); Yele Aluko, MD, MBA- Senior Vice President and Medical Director, Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute (ABC Mentorship Award); Felipe C. Robinson, MD - Founding Member of The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC Visionary Award) posthumously accepted by his daughter, Erron Al-Amin.

The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), founded in 1974, has taken a leadership role in promoting the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease including stroke in African Americans and other minorities. It's mission is to achieve health equity through the elimination of disparities in all people of color. ABC represents a diverse international membership of 1,500 health professionals, community lay members, corporate and institutional members dedicated to this cause.