The American Heart Association named Patrick Hughes volunteer chair of the 2026–2027 Heart of Greater Cincinnati campaign. The campaign is a year-round, community-wide effort intended to help ensure every individual in Greater Cincinnati has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The initiative culminates with the Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball, an annual AHA fundraiser and celebration of progress, hope and community support.
Patrick Hughes serves as volunteer chair of the Heart of Greater Cincinnati campaign. He described the appointment as an honor and expressed eagerness to work with volunteers and the American Heart Association to drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care. Hughes’s commitment is personal: he lost his sister at a young age to heart disease, an experience he cites as a continuing motivation to fight heart disease and stroke and to help families live longer, healthier lives.
Hughes is Managing Partner of DBL Law, where he leads the firm with a focus on delivering practical, business-minded legal counsel and a consistent client experience. His responsibilities include working closely with attorneys and the leadership team to support growth, develop talent, and keep the firm aligned around priorities for clients and communities.
Beyond his work at DBL Law, Hughes has recent and ongoing community leadership roles. He was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Life Learning Center, a non-profit and United Way partner agency. He also serves on the boards of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The Heart of the City campaign culminates at the Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball on Saturday, February 27, 2027, at First Financial Center. The 2027 Heart Ball is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare. The Heart Ball is described as an evening that honors volunteers and patrons, shares survivor stories and entertains guests with dinner, dancing and an auction.
The campaign unites leaders across the Greater Cincinnati community to advance health and hope. Hughes emphasized collaboration and the importance of creating lasting impact through combined efforts. The Heart Ball serves both as a celebration and a fundraising event to support the AHA’s work; attendees should expect program elements that highlight survivors and volunteer contributions alongside typical gala activities such as dining, dancing and auction items.
Alyson Poling, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati American Heart Association, welcomed Hughes as campaign chair and highlighted his vision, energy and community leadership. Poling said Hughes’s commitment to the AHA mission and passion for improving community well-being make him an outstanding choice to lead the campaign that seeks to advance health and hope for everyone in the region.
For information on how to support or attend the Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball, the release lists McKayla.Beavers@heart.org as the contact. For media inquiries, the contact provided is Lori Fovel at lori.fovel@heart.org. Public inquiries can use the American Heart Association’s general phone number, 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721).
The American Heart Association describes itself as a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. The organization reports more than a century as a leading source of health information, with support from millions of volunteers. Its activities include funding research, advocating for public health, and providing resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. The AHA states its focus is to drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care to advance health and transform lives every day.