American Heart Association - Gulf Coast hosts kickoff party, announces full slate of events

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Recently, Kellie Armstrong, executive director of development and community health for the Houston-Gulf Coast region of the American Heart Association, surrounded by members of the board of directors, staff, community leaders, and members of the public, held a kickoff celebration at Lotus of The Woodlands, the upscale luxury auto showroom just off The Woodlands Waterway.

At the event, Armstrong announced numerous events to be hosted by the local AHA in the upcoming months as its new fiscal year prepares to commence. She also highlighted the impact that the organization has had on the area.

Included among these highlights were a 137-percent increase in healthcare site enrollment, a partnership with five local pregnancy centers to address the issue that cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death among new mothers within a year following childbirth, the launch of the MomRx program, outpatient quality improvement programs, and a collaboration with thirty college and university campuses to increase access to healthy foods and provide nutrition education.

Additionally, the AHA celebrated the passing of the Landon Payton Act, a piece of legislation that requires all public schools to fully adopt and implement a cardiac emergency response plan on their campuses.

Jim Parisi, the president of the Gulf Coast board of directors, also addressed the attendees. Showcased were the 2025 Heart Ball, which raised an excess of $687,000, and the 2025 Go Red for Women Luncheon and Fashion Show, which raised nearly $600,000.

Announced for the upcoming months were the Montgomery County Heart Walk on November 1, the 2026 Heart Ball, presented by St. Luke’s Health The Woodlands Hospital, on February 21, and the 2026 Go Red for Women event at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott on April 24.

Photos