Article written and published in The Journal on July 1, 2026, link to full article here.
Superintendents across the Northeast region are working with the American Heart Association to improve the health and well-being of students, families and educators. Nineteen superintendents were selected to serve as volunteer leaders for the second year of the Association’s Eastern States Superintendent Council. One of the selected representatives is Dr. Ryan S. Saxe, superintendent for Berkeley County Schools.
“We are incredibly proud that this group of trusted voices in our communities is lending their expertise as we work toward combatting issues that are affecting student well-being and overall health,” said Abby Bartley, Eastern States Region senior vice president, School Engagement. ”The Superintendent Council plays a critical role as we work to improve the lives of everyone in the Eastern States region, and we’re excited to see the transformational impact the council will make on students within our communities.”
“The mission of the American Heart Association aligns closely with our commitment to supporting the well-being and success of every student,” said Dr. Saxe. “I said yes to supporting the Council because strong partnerships between schools and organizations like the American Heart Association create healthier students, stronger communities, and greater opportunities for lifelong success. The work being done to promote student wellness, education, and family engagement has a meaningful impact both inside and outside of the classroom.”
The Eastern States Region encompasses 13 states, along with Washington, D.C., from Maine to Virginia. The Superintendent Council is aimed at helping to strengthen the work of the American Heart Association across school districts in the Eastern States Region. The Council will share, inform and help shape the work of the American Heart Association, leading to greater impact across the region. The Council members will help shape solutions and responses to current issues facing schools and districts.
The Superintendent Council is an elite group of American Heart Association volunteers comprised of superintendents from a diverse mix of urban and rural public-school districts across the Eastern States Region. Council members serve a two-year term, participating in stakeholder sessions and offering their individual and collective expertise to assist the American Heart Association in creating a culture of health in school systems and communities across the region.
The council complements the work of the American Heart Association’s in-school programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, where volunteers with different backgrounds and perspectives focus on improving the health and well-being within their local communities and are committed to efforts that will help children achieve healthier, happier and longer lives.
The work of the American Heart Association, to save and improve every child’s life, is rooted in the organizational vision that all children, regardless of gender, race, location or economic status, should be able grow to their full potential. Efforts are being made around the country, including through this council, to make the places where kids live, learn and play to support their physical health and mental well-being, because according to the American Heart Association, only 29% of children have high cardiovascular health based on Life’s Essential 8 measurements.
To learn more about American Heart Association youth-based programs visit www.heart.org/getstarted.