Why I Intern for the American Heart Association

Guest Blogger: Lyudmila Chernenko- Intern, AHA Sacramento California Office 

My Family & a Career Improving the Health of Others Are Why

I am a current intern at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and I chose to intern here because of the mission. The mission to build lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke resonates closely with me. I am proud to be from a big, but very close, family of 17. Recently, my dad had a stroke and my family and I felt so hopeless and scared because we thought he might not survive. It was unexpected as I am sure most strokes are and overall we thought my father was healthy. When my father had a stroke we immediately called 9-1-1 and he was rushed to the hospital. At the hospital there were lots of tests and medication given which allowed my father to recover and come back to our big family.

Stroke kills nearly 129,000 people a year. In fact, it is the number 5 killer in US. The AHA/ASA is doing everything possible to minimize the risk of having strokes and to improve the health of those who have been affected by stroke. I love the clever acronym and supporting campaign created by the organization to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke: F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech Difficulty, and Time to call 911). These warning signs helped my family recognize that my dad was having a stroke. We saw him having trouble speaking and he also had weakness in his arm so we called 911.

My internship here has also helped to add real world experience to what I am studying in school as a Health Science Administration major. I have been helping on our campaign to teach students CPR, learning about our campaign to limit the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and connecting the dots about how the policy aspects of health relate to the administrative side of things my professors discuss. For example eating healthy and exercising can lower costs on the administrative end. 

Ultimately helping improve people’s health makes me happy and motivates me to do even more. I support the AHA/ASA’s work so we can all lead healthier lives and others can make sure their loved ones do not have a stroke like my dad did, and if that loved one were to suffer a stroke, they would be in a position to survive.