Lindsay Ashley, chief financial officer of Centre for Neuro Skills, has been appointed chair of the American Heart Association's 2025 Kern County Heart and Stroke Walk. The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, at California State University, Bakersfield, with a mission to celebrate survivors, raise critical funds, and promote community health. Ashley will lead a team of Kern County executives in recruiting organizations to participate in the walk. The event aims to foster action-oriented conversations about employee health, corporate engagement, and community transformation. As part of this initiative, a diverse leadership team representing local businesses and media will collaborate to support the American Heart Association's goals.
The executive leadership team comprises professionals from various sectors, including healthcare, legal services, media, and financial institutions. Notable team members include David Harrington from Centre for Neuro Skills, Didra Cantu from Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, and representatives from Dignity Health, KGET-TV, and Valley Strong Credit Union. According to Kelley Berry, executive director of the American Heart Association in Kern County, the walk represents a critical opportunity for community unity in combating heart disease and stroke. The event will provide participants access to resources and tools supporting mental and physical well-being.
Funds raised through the walk will support the American Heart Association's comprehensive efforts, including advancing lifesaving research, expanding CPR training, and connecting patients to innovative treatments. The organization emphasizes that heart disease and stroke are largely preventable, with lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management playing crucial roles in overall health. This focus on prevention makes community events like the Heart and Stroke Walk particularly significant, as they directly address modifiable risk factors through education and engagement.
Centre for Neuro Skills, demonstrating its commitment to community health, will participate in Heart Walk events across California and Texas. The organization's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Matt Ashley, further supports this mission through his leadership role on the Central Texas American Heart Association's Board of Directors. This dual involvement from both financial and medical leadership within the same organization underscores a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health advocacy. The appointment of Lindsay Ashley as chair signals strategic importance placed on cross-sector collaboration, bringing together healthcare providers, media outlets, and financial institutions to address a public health challenge that remains a leading cause of death nationally.
The Kern County Heart and Stroke Walk's timing in October aligns with broader health awareness initiatives, creating synergistic opportunities for community education. By engaging corporate teams through the executive leadership committee, the event extends its impact beyond individual participants to influence workplace wellness policies and practices. This organizational-level engagement is crucial for creating sustainable health improvements, as workplaces represent significant environments where preventive behaviors can be encouraged and supported. The involvement of media partners like KGET-TV amplifies public messaging about heart health, while financial institutions such as Valley Strong Credit Union help ensure fundraising goals support the American Heart Association's mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
