The American Heart Association announced appointments to its 2026–27 Broward County Board of Directors, adding local executives and community leaders to help advance the organization’s local work. The newly appointed leaders will collaborate with existing board members to pursue initiatives across four stated priority areas: hypertension, nutrition security, women's heart health, and CPR and AED awareness.
According to the announcement published Aug. 24, 2026, Ellice Martinez, executive director of the American Heart Association — Broward County, said the board has an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in community health and she looks forward to working with the newly expanded team to broaden the AHA’s impact locally.
The focus on these priority areas reflects the board’s intent to promote more equitable health outcomes across Broward County and surrounding communities by directing local leadership, resources, and outreach toward prevention, education, and access to lifesaving interventions.
The following individuals were named as joining the Heart Association’s Broward County Board of Directors for the 2026–27 term:
The announcement also listed existing board members who will continue to serve alongside the appointees. Those members include:
These named individuals represent a mix of private-sector executives, health system leadership, community organizations, and education sector representation.
Lawrence Franchetti, the board chair, is quoted in the release expressing gratitude for the leadership and expertise the board members bring. He noted that their commitment will support AHA’s work in Broward County and help drive progress in areas with lasting effects on community health.
Veronica McCloskey, M.D., the board president, reiterated the board’s mission-oriented focus: ensuring every person has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life by supporting initiatives that address local health challenges and increase access to preventive tools and resources to reduce heart disease and stroke risk.
Ellice Martinez highlighted the board’s chance to make a profound difference in the health and well-being of the Broward County community and emphasized collaboration with the passionate team of board members to expand local impact.
The American Heart Association describes the Broward County Board of Directors as a local leadership body that will help guide the organization’s efforts throughout Broward County and nearby areas. Through their collective reach and expertise, board members are intended to lead local strategy and support programs that align with the AHA’s broader mission to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives.
The board’s declared priority areas reflect common avenues for improving cardiovascular health at the community level:
The announcement directs readers seeking more local information to the AHA Florida webpage at heart.org/Florida.
The release provides contact points for media and the public. A media contact listed is Maggie Salas Amaro with an email of maggie.salasamaro@heart.org. For public inquiries, the announcement references the American Heart Association’s general phone number listed as 1-800-AHA-USA1 (also presented as 1-800-242-8721).
The release closes with a reminder of the AHA’s national mission: funding research, advocating for public health, and providing resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. Readers interested in Broward County-specific programs and initiatives are directed to visit heart.org/Florida for additional details.
About the American Heart Association
The announcement includes the standard organizational description noting the American Heart Association’s long-term dedication to health information, research support, public health advocacy, and community resources. It references the organization’s aim to implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care to advance health and transform lives.
For more information about the Broward County board or local AHA activities, the release points readers to the AHA Florida web page and the provided media and public contact details in the announcement.