The American Heart Association has named Anna Lemay as their 2011 Lifestyle Change Award recipient.
The American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award celebrates individuals who have made positive changes to improve their quality of life. Lemay is a supervisor at the Center for Electrocardiology at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital, and she has done just that.
“A couple of years ago after a brief hospitalization, I committed to living a healthier life,” said Lemay. “A co-worker and I started walking together and one day we ended up at the Education Center at the Perelman Heart Institute where they were promoting a walking program.” Anna believes her decision to participate in the program has changed her life.
Her continued participation in the Perelman Heart Institute’s annual walkathon has also made her an inspiration to her staff and everyone she comes in contact with at the Perelman Heart Institute.
“Seeing Anna [Lemay] take charge of her health and win makes me want to do the same thing,” said Sabrina Dembo, a co-worker.
Lemay is also eating healthier. She avoids restaurant meals and processed foods and instead chooses fresh vegetables and makes fruit shakes for snacks.
Now that she’s started walking, she hasn’t looked back. From regularly walking the Perelman Mile (indoor path) or the Perelman Miles Plus (outdoor path) to working it out at Zumba classes, physical activity is a lifelong priority.
-“Walking got me started,” said Lemay. “But now it’s up to me to stay healthy.”
Lemay was nominated by the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute and the Center for Electrocardiography at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weil Cornell Medical Center and participates in the American Heart Association Wall Street Run & Heart Walk in hopes of inspiring even more people to get active and donate to a great cause.
