Public invited to Heart of New Ulm summit

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn 10/16/2008--Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation are holding a free summit meeting to engage the community in the Heart of New Ulm. The Heart of New Ulm is an initiative to eliminate heart attacks in the community of New Ulm, Minn. through identifying health risks, tracking the health of the population and providing early interventions to improve health and reduce heart disease.

The meeting’s keynote speaker is Dan Buettner, the author of “THE BLUE ZONES: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest,” published by National Geographic Books.

Other presenters include Lori Wightman, president, New Ulm Medical Center; Dick Pettingill, chief executive officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics; Kevin Graham, MD, president, Minneapolis Heart Institute; Jeff VanWormer, project director, Heart of New Ulm, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation; and Dan Beranek, New Ulm city councilor at large.

The Heart of New Ulm summit is Tuesday, October 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at New Ulm Middle School Auditorium, 15 North State Street in New Ulm.

A meet the author session begins at 6:30 p.m. The first 100 attendees will receive free, autographed copies of “THE BLUE ZONES: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest.” Buettner also will sign books directly following the program until 9:30 p.m.

For more information about the event, please call Jeff VanWormer at 507-233-1945.

More about Allina and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is creating a world without heart disease through groundbreaking clinical research and innovative educational programs.

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit family of hospitals, clinics and other care services dedicated to meeting the lifelong health care needs of communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

# # #