Advancing Women’s Heart Health: A Powerful Day at Stanford
Stanford University’s 2025 Heart to Heart Grant Presentation
Earlier this month, Alpha Phi Foundation donors and partners gathered at Stanford University for a meaningful day of learning, connection, and inspiration, celebrating the groundbreaking work made possible through the 2025 Heart to Heart Grant.
The event started with opening remarks from Dr. Jennifer Tremmel, Clinical Director of Women’s Heart Health at Stanford and a longtime advocate for advancing cardiac care for women. Dr. Tremmel spoke about the importance of collaboration in women’s heart health research, a theme that carried throughout the morning.
Spotlight on the Heart to Heart Grant
Attendees then heard from Dr. Katharine Sears-Edwards, who presented Stanford’s winning Heart to Heart Grant proposal, “Evidence-Based Online Peer Support after Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).” This project represents the first cross-country collaboration in the Heart to Heart Grant’s 32-year history, joining efforts between Stanford and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI).
Through this partnership, Dr. Edwards and her team are adapting UOHI’s successful Women@Heart peer-support program into a new initiative tailored for women recovering from Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)- a rare, often sudden cardiac event that affects women disproportionately. The adapted program, called SCAD@Heart, will train peer-support leaders (women who have personally experienced SCAD) to provide online support and community for patients across the U.S. and Canada.
“We aim to learn whether evidence-based peer support to reduce stress and psychological distress is feasible and can improve outcomes among female cardiac patients,” shared Dr. Edwards. “Our project focuses on one of several stress-triggered cardiovascular conditions that are more common in women than men.”
Dr. Katharine Sears-Edwards
Collaborative Discussion and Shared Learning
Following the presentation, attendees participated in breakout sessions designed to foster dialogue and reflection. Each small group explored the emotional and psychological challenges women face following a cardiac event and discussed how peer support can complement clinical care. The sessions encouraged thoughtful conversation and allowed participants to share ideas and questions directly with Stanford’s research team.
A Story of Strength and Connection
One of the most powerful moments of the day came from a guest speaker and SCAD survivor, who shared her personal experience and how access to peer support transformed her recovery. Her heartfelt story illustrated the direct impact that programs like SCAD@Heart can have, not just on individual healing, but on building a community of understanding and resilience among women with similar experiences.
Continuing Momentum
As part of their ongoing efforts, Dr. Edwards and her team have also proposed expanding the SCAD@Heart platform through the Foundation’s Heart to Heart Community Grant. In partnership with the SCAD Alliance, Dr. Edwards and her team aim to make peer-support resources available to even more women worldwide.
Donors Making a Difference
This event was a reminder of the difference made possible through Alpha Phi Foundation donors and volunteers. For more than 75 years, Alpha Phi has remained dedicated to advancing women’s heart health. Your generosity fuels this work, empowering women to take charge of their health, supporting groundbreaking research, and helping build a future where no woman faces heart disease alone. Thanks to all attendees, donors, and Foundation volunteers. We could not do this important work without you.