One of North Carolina YTC’s members received national recognition at the National Board of Directors June meeting. Eric Peterson, MD, MPH, FAHA received the Award of Meritorious Achievement which recognizes an individual for a specific significant accomplishment or project that affects the AHA nationally.
Dr. Peterson was recognized for his work with the development of the AHA’s Heart360 Program and the subsequent “Check It, Change It” community-based intervention for blood pressure control. Dr. Peterson played a roll in the development of the Heart360 web portal (www.heart360.org) and then helped launch the SPRITE (Secondary Prevention Risk Interventions Via Telemedicine and Tailored Patient Education) study to evaluate home blood pressure monitoring, using the Heart360 web-based application. Dr. Peterson also played a critical role in the implementation of the “Check It, Change It” program in Durham County, and a follow up program based on the same model in 50 other US cities.
In addition to this work that helps individuals better manage their health, Dr. Peterson is an active You’re the Cure NC advocate. He has attended National Lobby Day where he has advocated for increased funding for heart disease and stroke prevention at the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At home here in NC, Dr. Peterson signed the NC Alliance for Health’s Medical Professional Letter in support of recurring state funding for tobacco use prevention and cessation programs and inspired other physicians in the state to join him. He clearly understands how important You’re the Cure’s advocacy efforts are at the local, state and federal levels.
Dr. Peterson is the director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute, professor of medicine and vice dean of quality at Duke University Medical Center. The Award of Meritorious Achievement was created in 1952 and is presented to individuals who have rendered important service in supporting our national programs.
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