Applications Now Being Accepted for Fall 2017 WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2017 WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium. The Symposium is taking place October 6-October 9, 2017 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The application deadline is July 31, 2017.

The four-day Symposium brings together dedicated female heart patients and provides a rigorous training for them to be WomenHeart Champions -- patient volunteers who work in their local communities to lead support network meetings with heart disease survivors and/or participate in other WomenHeart education and advocacy activities.

"Education, advocacy and support are at the core of the fight against heart disease in women. WomenHeart Champions trained at this prestigious program are equipped to improve awareness, increase action and lead peer support efforts in their local communities," said Mary McGowan, CEO of WomenHeart.

McGowan referenced research that underscores the impact of peer support in helping women improve their heart disease outcomes.

"So many women experience feelings of fear, anxiety and isolation following a heart disease diagnosis. However, women who regularly attend a support group led by a trained peer leader are more engaged in their health care and experience lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression," she said. "This is just one example of the real impact made by participating in the WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium, and we're so proud to see the difference it makes in each WomenHeart Champion's local community."

Members of WomenHeart's National Hospital Alliance are encouraged to nominate patients that they believe would be would be best suited for this leadership opportunity. The organization is also seeking nominations from hospitals not currently affiliated with the National Hospital Alliance, as well as directly from women living with heart disease. Patients are asked to complete a short survey to begin the application process.

WomenHeart was founded in 1999 and the Science & Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic was founded as an integral part of WomenHeart in 2002. WomenHeart currently boasts more than 800 WomenHeart Champions and 97 WomenHeart Support Networks that reach more than 10,000 women heart patients nationwide every year.

The WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance is currently comprised of 40 member hospitals. It is a unique partnership between WomenHeart and member hospitals throughout the country who are dedicated to advancing women's heart health in their community. The National Hospital Alliance was developed by WomenHeart to ensure that women heart disease patients in every community have access to information, education and patient support services.

For more information, visit www.womenheart.org