Friends of the Heart Institute is a nationally recognized, award-winning, all-volunteer community organization 400 members strong. Over the last four decades, Friends has raised more than $3.5 million in support of the top priorities of award-winning cardiovascular care at Doylestown Health, now embodied in the Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care.
Contributions to Friends foster investments in community education and outreach, cutting-edge technology and equipment, and exceptional facilities. Friends relies on community support to help ensure that patients of Doylestown Health receive the very best cardiovascular care available, in a hospital close to home.
Friends was launched in 1978 by Herman Silverman as the $100 Heart Club. Silverman, along with Dr. Bruce Applestein, Elmer Cates, Frank Galinski, John Knoell, and Dr. Joseph F. X. McGarvey, Sr., worked to raise funds for a much-needed heart program at Doylestown Hospital.
In the 43 years since its inception, Friends has:
- Raised $3.5 million to advance heart and vascular care excellence at Doylestown Health
- Raised over $2 million in support of the new Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion
- Funded nationally recognized exercise program Walk With A Doc for the community
- Purchased cutting-edge technology and exercise equipment for cardiac rehab in Doylestown
- Written and sent educational letters to cardiovascular patients for the last 15 years
Today, through the tireless commitment of its members and the ongoing support of the community, Friends continues to work toward greater goals for the cardiovascular program.
