The American Heart Association announced that Gul Dadlani, M.D., and Jon Reitz will continue to serve on the Southeast Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The announcement was published from Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 5, 2026. The AHA described both leaders as experienced volunteers and community partners who will help guide efforts to improve heart and brain health across the Southeast region.
The release quoted each leader expressing gratitude and commitment to continuing their service. Both emphasized the importance of collaboration, volunteer engagement and philanthropic support to sustain the AHA’s lifesaving programs.
Gul Dadlani, M.D., serves as vice president, chief partnership officer and medical director of international medicine at Nemours Children’s Health in Florida. He is a longtime advocate for cardiovascular health and previously served as president of the AHA’s Orlando board. The announcement highlights his leadership in championing efforts to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Dr. Dadlani said it is an honor to continue serving on the AHA Southeast Board and reiterated that improving heart health requires collaboration, innovation and unwavering commitment. The release positions him as a clinical and community leader focused on creating healthier communities and saving lives.
Jon Reitz is regional vice president of Walgreens and a dedicated American Heart Association volunteer leader. He previously served as president of the AHA Orlando board and chaired the 2020 Greater Orlando Heart Walk. Through his volunteer leadership, Reitz has supported community engagement, fundraising and advocacy efforts that advance the AHA’s mission.
Reitz stated he feels proud and privileged to continue serving on the Southeast Board and looks forward to expanding the AHA’s reach, strengthening partnerships with volunteers and supporting philanthropic efforts that enable the Association’s work.
As members of the Southeast Board of Directors, Dadlani and Reitz will help guide strategic efforts to improve cardiovascular health, advance health equity and reduce the impact of heart disease and stroke across the region. Their responsibilities include advising on community engagement, fundraising and advocacy initiatives and supporting the AHA’s mission to save and improve lives affected by heart disease and stroke.
The release frames their reappointments as continuity in experienced leadership intended to support the AHA’s regional programs and partnerships. Specific board duties, term limits, or committee assignments were not described in the source.
The American Heart Association’s Southeast region serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. The AHA indicated that board leadership will be involved in guiding strategic efforts across these states and territories to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes, promote prevention and accelerate community-based interventions.
The announcement emphasizes three regional priorities: improving heart and brain health, advancing health equity, and reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke through collaboration among volunteers, health systems, corporate partners and local communities.
The release includes the AHA’s organizational summary. The American Heart Association describes itself as a relentless force for longer, healthier lives, committed to equitable health in all communities. The organization has been a leading source of health information for more than a century, supported by millions of volunteers globally. The AHA funds research, advocates for public health, and provides resources to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease and stroke.
For media inquiries the release listed Emory Parkins with an email contact at emory.parkins@heart.org. Public inquiries may be directed to the AHA helpline at 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721). The AHA website and affiliated sites (heart.org and stroke.org) were referenced for further information.