A heartfelt act: Massachusetts medical assistants team up with AHA

By Cathy Cassata

Since the loss of her father to heart disease, Dawn Jordan, CMA (AAMA), president of the Massachusetts Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA) and president of the Worcester chapter, takes heart health to heart. “I’ve been personally affected by heart disease. I’ve always wanted to reach out to the many people it touches,” says Jordan. So, she did just that by becoming involved in the American Heart Association (AHA).

Jordan started participating in AHA efforts by collecting donations for fundraising events through her employer, UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester, Mass. During that time, the AHA learned of Jordan’s involvement in the American Association of Medical Assistants and asked to team up with the Worcester chapter.

“We first volunteered at their Red Heart Day held at Macy’s stores in September 2008.” For eight hours, about 10 Worcester members divided their time between Macy’s stores in Auburn and Marlborough, Mass., to give free blood pressure screenings. “We all really enjoyed helping educate the public about such an important disease,” Jordan says.

The AHA also asked the Worcester group to participate in the Central Massachusetts Heart Walk. For this event, held in May 2009, Jordan recruited volunteers from across the state. Since the walk fell on the same weekend as the MSMA meeting, Jordan received approval to change the meeting to a different weekend. “It worked out great,” she says. “We advertised the event on our website and throughout chapter meetings, and 20 members came to give blood pressure readings before, during, and after the walk,” she adds.

With about 4,000 walkers present, members donated their time from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., giving blood pressure readings and informing participants about medical assistants. “We introduced ourselves as medical assistants and let each person know what we do and how we differ from other health care professionals,” notes Jordan. The members also wore T-shirts showcasing the MSMA website; distributed marketing materials about the association, the profession, and the CMA (AAMA) credential; and gave away promotional pencils. The local radio station even helped spread the word by encouraging participants to stop by the MSMA booth for a free blood pressure screening.

To top off their efforts, the Worcester chapter presented a check to the AHA during the event’s closing ceremony. “It was exciting to be part of such a worthy cause, and at the same time promote our profession,” states Jordan.

The AHA was impressed by the work of Jordan and her medical assisting colleagues. “The Heart Walk is the signature event of the American Heart Association, and we depend on community volunteers to make it a success,” says Laura Woodward, director of business development at the AHA. “We were so pleased with the knowledge and expertise of the [members of the] Massachusetts Society of Medical Assistants and their ability to give accurate blood pressure readings to our participants. It made a huge difference in our event!”

Jordan hopes to get more members involved next year. “The AHA asked us to come back and we definitely will. We’re also working with them to provide blood pressure readings throughout the state during year-round events,” she says. “The more of a presence we can have with the public, the more people will learn to understand and appreciate our unique profession.” Now that’s spoken straight from the heart.