Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres, senior vice president of Northwell Health’s Center for Equity of Care and the health system’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer, was named the American Heart Association’s 2022 Physician of the Year.

The organization’s highest honor is awarded to a physician who has made outstanding accomplishments in the field of cardiovascular disease in multiple arenas and for making significant strides for supporting equitable health and well-being for all.

“I am truly honored, and awe-inspired to receive this prestigious award,” said Dr. Mieres, who has volunteered for the AHA for 22 years and is professor of cardiology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. “It shines the spotlight on our foundational work of health care delivery redesign to bring patient empowerment and partnership to the forefront, thereby expanding the lens of health care to a holistic approach to include the comportments of culture, language, gender and social determinants of health as critical to improving health outcomes for women and men.”

Northwell Health colleague Stacey Rosen, senior vice president for the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, earned the top annual AHA physician award in 2021.

A cardiologist for nearly 30 years as well as an author, educator, clinical researcher, filmmaker and community and patient advocate, is a national spokesperson for AHA’s Go Red for Women movement to increase awareness of women and heart disease.

She served as chair of several national AHA committees, including the Cardiac Imaging Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology,  the Professional Education Committee and was a member of the AHA’s National Board of Directors.

She is a past member  of the Scientific Advisory Board for WomenHeart, the national coalition for women living with heart disease. Dr Mieres is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the American College of Cardiology and recently received the organizations’ Distinguished Service award.

“Jennifer has been a champion for health equity and inclusion long before it has dominated the mainstream media. As a champion she has helped provide the direction and moral compass for our health care organization and our medical school,” said David L. Battinelli, MD, executive vice president and physician-in-chief at Northwell Health, and vice dean and professor of medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. “Our students and faculty and her colleagues both expect and depend on Jennifer for her guidance, leadership and friendship.”

Mieres has co-authored several books, including the newly updated “Heart Smarter for Women, Six Steps to a Healthier Heart,” “Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas,” and just released in May, “Reigniting the Human Connection: A Pathway to Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity.” Along with colleagues at KIWH, Dr. Mieres has co-produced four documentaries on health, including the Emmy-nominated PBS film “A Woman’s Heart.”

“Dr. Mieres’ contributions to cardiology and beyond have been nothing short of remarkable. She has tirelessly focused on improving health care disparities for all, and while there is still much more work to do, Dr. Mieres has helped move the direction in a very positive way,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kuvin, MD, chair of cardiology at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and senior vice president of cardiology for Northwell’s Central and Eastern regions. “On behalf of her colleagues across the health system, we congratulate Dr. Mieres on being named the AHA physician of the year.”

Growing up in Trinidad, Mieres was fascinated with science at a young age, spending time with her aunt who was a biologist. When she was 7 years old, her beloved grandfather died of a heart attack. “This amplified my interest in science and medicine,” she said. “I was determined to become a doctor.”

Because Trinidad only had one TV station at the time, Mieres said she watched the medical drama “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” which aired in the 1970s, struck a chord with her. “While the main character didn’t look like me, I was intrigued by the show and the portrayal of a doctor who was warm and partnered with his patients,” she said.

In 1979, Mieres moved to Vermont to attend Bennington College’s pre-med program. She later earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine.

Mieres points to the importance of having a network of role models and mentors to her academic success in cardiology. She credits one of her mentors, internationally known researcher, Dr. Judith Hochman, with sparking research curiosity and supporting her interest and work in women and heart disease.

Mieres is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and a master of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, serving as the society’s first female president in 2009.  Mieres is associate dean of faculty affairs at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and is a member of  Northwell’s KIWH.

 “Health care in the 21st century must be truly holistic, integrating a focus on prevention, partnership and empowered patients,” said Mieres, who believes that to improve health outcomes, the health care model must incorporate the tenets of diversity, health equity and inclusion. “This is the cornerstone of the vision of care at Northwell’s Center for Equity of Care, health equity starts by treating patients as partners and stakeholders in their care.”

 Mieres will receive her award from the AHA during its annual National Volunteer Awards virtual ceremony, streamed live for public viewing June 28.