The American Heart Association celebrated two pioneering social entrepreneurs at its third annual Impact with Heart awards, recognizing organizations developing innovative digital health solutions to address significant health challenges. Sober Sidekick, headquartered in Marina Del Ray, California, was honored for its digital health engagement platform that provides peer support for individuals recovering from addiction. Founded by Chris Thompson during his own recovery journey, the platform uses an 'Empathy Algorithm' and has supported over 341,000 people to date.
OxiWear, based in Arlington, Virginia, received recognition for its FDA-approved medical wearable device that provides continuous, real-time oxygen monitoring and emergency alerts for individuals with pulmonary conditions. The device was developed by founder Shavini Fernando after her diagnosis of severe pulmonary hypertension. These awards align with the American Heart Association's mission to drive equitable health outcomes and address critical health disparities.
Recent Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics reveal that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and globally, with increasing health risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the organization's commitment to innovative solutions that can transform health outcomes.
The Impact with Heart event showcases entrepreneurial projects supported by the Association's Social Impact Funds and EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator. The event, held at The Ailey Studios in New York City, featured CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson as mistress of ceremonies and included a personal health journey presentation by Season 2 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
Marsha Jones, volunteer board chair of the American Heart Association, highlighted the organization's strategic approach to accelerating medical innovations and reducing barriers to equitable healthcare. By investing in organizations like Sober Sidekick and OxiWear, the Association aims to support sustainable solutions that can improve health outcomes across diverse communities. These digital health innovations represent important steps toward addressing systemic health challenges through technology-driven approaches that prioritize accessibility and effectiveness.
