Association of Black Cardiologists to Host 16th Spirit of the Heart Gala

For over a decade, this event has served as a primary engine for the organization’s philanthropic initiatives. Beyond the awards ceremony, the evening functions as a catalyst for developing a more diverse pipeline of clinical leaders. Funds raised during the gala support targeted programs designed to address heart disease in communities that currently bear a disproportionate burden of the condition.

Dr. Icilma Fergus, event co-chair and Director of the Cardiovascular Disparities Center at Mount Sinai, emphasized that the evening represents a long-term investment in the medical workforce. Dr. Samin K. Sharma, Chief of Clinical Cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, will serve as the event’s Honorary Chairperson. His selection underscores a focus on clinical innovation and the mentorship of the next generation of cardiovascular specialists.

The gala is bookended by the Annual Policy Pulse Summit, held October 2 at Venable LLP, where experts will dissect the policy frameworks influencing national heart health. The awards program itself will be co-emceed by journalist Sandra Bookman and BrandCunningham executive Thomas Cunningham IV, featuring a live auction and scholarship presentations. Dr. Barbara Hutchinson, who co-chairs the event, noted that the gathering serves to both honor current progress and maintain the momentum required to drive systemic change in patient outcomes.