United States Postal Service and Jewish Hospital Dedicate Heart Stamp, Join Forces to Raise Awareness

2/13/2012

Louisville, Ky.—The United States Postal Service (USPS) and Jewish Hospital joined forces today for the dedication of the first ever heart health stamp. 

Since 1963 Congress has asked the President to declare February as American Heart Month. This February, the United States Postal Service is honoring American Heart Month with the first class Heart Health Forever® stamp.  Jewish Hospital was selected as the site for the community’s unveiling of the stamp due to its century-long history as a pioneer in medical innovation, in particular in the field of heart care.

“Both Jewish Hospital and the United States Postal Service have significant historical achievements, including a number of firsts,” said Alisa Zanetti, marketing manager, USPS.  “Jewish Hospital is first in medical innovation in Kentucky, the nation and the world. USPS offers first class postage delivered with first class service.”

USPS has 50 million of the heart health stamps available for purchase nationwide. 

The heart health stamp was unveiled to the community with help from Ruth Brinkley, president and CEO of KentuckyOne Health; Laman Gray, M.D., medical director, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, professor of surgery at the University of Louisville and distinguished chair in cardiothoracic surgery at Jewish Hospital; Mark Slaughter, M.D., chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Louisville and director of the heart transplant and medical device program at Jewish Hospital; and John Froning, DMD, a heart patient who received treatment at Jewish Hospital in 2010.

“We know that programs like this one will help raise awareness here at home and across the United States, and we are honored that Jewish Hospital was selected to host today’s celebration,” said Brinkley.  “Through medical breakthroughs, education and awareness, our goal is to improve the health of every Kentuckian. Heart care is one of our top priorities and it should be, given our history and our expertise.”

Heart health awareness and education is particularly important for Kentuckians. The state of Kentucky ranks ninth in the nation for deaths from heart disease and stroke. Nationally, heart disease remains the number one killer of all Americans.

“We were the 11th heart transplant center in the United States, and the only one in the Midwest when we opened,” said Dr. Gray, who was one of the physicians who helped establish Jewish Hospital’s heart care program as one of the best in the world.  “Without the support of the Jewish Hospital board of directors and the administration, we could not have accomplished all that we have.”

“What separates our program is that it is a team effort, which includes doctors, nurses, hospital personnel and hospital leadership,” said Dr. Slaughter.  “With the support of KentuckyOne Health, we plan to maintain our reputation as the place for heart therapy and new technology.  We want to make Jewish Hospital and KentuckyOne Health the leader in heart care in the nation.”

USPS encourages individuals to mail a letter, using the heart health stamp, to a friend or loved one and remind them of the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. The Heart Health Forever® stamp is available at the post office today.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Heart stamp group photo from L to R: Doug Caswell (USPS), Wendy English (USPS), Laman Gray, MD, Ruth Brinkley, Alisa Zanetti (USPS), John Froning, DMD (VAD patient), and Mark Slaughter, MD.  Click image for high resolution

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