Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/635316
t m c ยป p u l s e | j a n / f e b 2 0 1 6 24 As a student, I appreciated getting hands-on expe- rience through the school's TV affiliate. I toyed with broadcast news a bit, but the quick turnaround wasn't for me. My dad thought I would be the next Diane Sawyer. It was a great experience, though, and I can honestly say I use my degree in journalism every day. Q | Take us through the time that you were very active with the American Heart Association (AHA) early on and then the Boys and Girls Club of America. What were some of the decisions or opportunities that shaped you to eventually take on this role? IN HONOR OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH, YARA EL-SAYED, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, AFFILIATE, SAT DOWN WITH TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF STRATEGY AND OPERATING OFFICER WILLIAM F. McKEON TO DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF HEART HEALTH, AND HOW THE AHA WORKS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY TRAINING AND AWARENESS. Q | Let's go back to the early days. Where were you born and raised? A | I was born in Cairo, Egypt. I lived there until I was four, when my parents came to the United States. I was raised in the U.S. in Columbia, Missouri. It's great to have to the best of both cultures, and I'm grateful to my parents. Q | You went to school in Missouri and pursued journalism. Was there a journalist in the family? A | No, there wasn't a journalist in the family. Truly the news industry fascinates me and given that Mizzou is continuously ranked as a top journalism school, and it was in my backyard, I gave it a shot. SPOTLIGHT A | It's interesting where life can take you. I feel strongly that the right people come into your life at the right time. When I joined AHA early on in 2003, I can't say I had a true connection to the mission. It was really a great opportunity. What surprised me is that soon after I started working at AHA, I was deeply touched by the work we were doing with stroke victims. Seeing what stroke does to the brain and how debilitating it can be is startling. Being able to return to an organization that meant so much to me early on in my career is really wonder- ful. The impact of the work we do at AHA continues to shape me personally and professionally.