Daniel E. Dawes, J.D. and the HEART Initiative Address Cardiovascular Disparities in San Bernardino
18 Jun 2026
Heart health is shaped by more than what happens inside a doctor’s office. It is influenced by where people live, how they access care, whether they have trusted community support, and the conditions that make long-term well-being possible.
That idea is at the center of the HEART Initiative, a new five-year effort from Loma Linda University Health and Meharry Medical College’s School of Global Health. As reported by the San Bernardino Sun, the initiative launched in San Bernardino and will also focus on Detroit and Nashville, bringing together clinical care, community partnerships, and local strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Daniel E. Dawes, J.D., Senior Vice President of Global Health and Founding Dean of the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College, has been a leading voice in that work. Speaking to the San Bernardino Sun, Dawes emphasized that “high blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular risk don’t exist in a vacuum.”
The initiative is designed to address those broader conditions directly. In San Bernardino, where nearby communities can experience dramatically different health outcomes, HEART is working with churches, businesses, nonprofit groups, and community partners to expand heart health education, screenings, and support.
As Dawes told the San Bernardino Sun, “You cannot address a health issue without addressing the social drivers that cause those disparities.” He added that HEART is bringing “open ears and hearts” to communities to help create conditions for longevity that are not limited by ZIP code.
For healthcare leaders, Dawes’ work offers an important reminder: better outcomes require more than treatment alone. They require trust, collaboration, and a willingness to understand the systems surrounding people’s health.
Through the HEART Initiative, Dawes and his partners are advancing a model rooted in community listening, shared responsibility, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life.