Advocate Spotlight: David Bordewyk

Public Policy that Supports and Advocates for Healthy Citizens is why

What brought you to be an advocate for the American Heart Association?

In 2013, while lobbying at the state capitol in Pierre (I work and lobby for South Dakota Newspaper Association), I decided to participate in a heart screening being offered there by Sanford Health. The end result was the surprise discovery of the three major coronary arteries each 90 percent blocked and the subsequent insertion of four stents. All of that got me thinking about how lucky I was and how important it is for people to be a pro-active about their own health. That heart screening may have saved my life. Anything I can do to help other people be aware of and active in their own well-being – especially when it comes to heart health – is something I want to support. And being an advocate for the American Heart Association here in South Dakota is one small way I can do that.

What issues or policies are you most passionate about and why?

Because I am a lobbyist and at the state capitol in Pierre full-time during each legislative session, I understand and appreciate the importance of good public policy that supports and advocates for healthy citizens. And so I have started to personally track and support public policy initiatives for good health when I can. Especially when it comes to any public policy supporting healthy hearts.

What is your favorite advocacy memory or experience so far and what made it great?

Witnessing the passage of legislation in Pierre in 2017 to require that every high school student in the state receive training in Hands Only CPR prior to graduation. AHA played a huge role in getting that legislation passed and signed into law in South Dakota and it was exciting to see it happen. It was a big deal.

What is your favorite way to be active?

I like to ride bike as often as I can. I have a hunting dog, so it’s great fun and good exercise to work with him in the field, whether it be in training throughout the year or hunting for pheasants in the fall. Just being outdoors and get moving!

What is your favorite fruit or vegetable and any tips for how you serve or prepare it?

I love asparagus and peppers on the grill. And I’ll admit it -- I love broccoli!

Pictured in photo is David and Sherry Bordewyk and their sons, Beau and Will.