The Patient Journey

Jorge Plutzky, MD is the director of Preventive Cardiology in the Cardiovascular Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Plutzky’s clinical interests have focused on preventing all manifestations of cardiovascular disease, with a particular interest in the intersection between abnormal metabolism, like obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetes and cardiovascular health. The current Chair of the AHA’s Diabetes Committee and the recipient of numerous awards for teaching and research, he is also the principal investigator of an NIH-funded basic science laboratory investigating mechanisms of cardio-metabolic disorders.

Joshua J. Joseph, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and a Fellow of the American Heart Association. In his diabetes and cardiovascular disease clinic, Dr. Joseph focuses on lifestyle behaviors and medical therapeutics through a team-based, patient-centered approach to living with diabetes that is tailored to provide patients with the necessary tools to successfully manage their diabetes and avoid cardiovascular disease. Dr. Joseph leads a large research group dedicated to improving prevention and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease from the patient to the population.

Jacqueline Deloach Alikhaani is a Los Angeles based Heart Survivor/Patient/Volunteer. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and serves as a patient representative for several PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) projects. Her interests include national/global Patient-Centered Outcomes Research engagement to help address disparities in heart healthcare for traditionally under-served communities, and rare heart disease patients in an effort to help improve care for all patients living with chronic, disabling and life-threatening medical conditions. She is also a 2019-2020 Know Diabetes by Heart™ Ambassador, WomenHeart Champion, and an American Heart Association Organizational Ambassador and Citizen Scientist.

Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis is heart and stroke survivor. She advocates on behalf of women’s health and is currently an American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association Ambassador for their initiative Know Diabetes by Heart™. She is also certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from the eCornell University. Hyvelle is the founder of Heart Sistas, a blog helping women in underserved communities through her inspirational speaking, modified cook and writing.