BUFFALO, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 17, 2003 - The Research Center for Stroke & Heart Disease (RCSHD) of The Jacobs Neurological Institute has received a four-year award through the New York State Department of Health Healthy Heart Program (HHP) to continue its faith community prevention activities.

The award, totaling $332,000, will enable the RCSHD to continue to offer faith-based programs on nutrition and physical activity, including Moving in Faith. First begun with 352 members from five faith communities in 2001, Moving in Faith has expanded into 20 churches in the Western New York area.

"We are very excited that the Healthy Heart Program has recognized the importance of our programs and the successful outcomes," said Gretchen Fierle, vice president of the Center, who will oversee the funds. "Our work has shown that the medical community can successfully partner with faith communities where positive changes can be made in the lives of members, all working toward a common goal of improved health," she added.

More than 110 grant applications were submitted to the Department from around the state - the Center received the fourth largest of 17 grants awarded. "We continue to position the importance of building community partnerships and collaboration to reduce the rates of stroke and heart disease in Western New York," said Frederick E. Munschauer III, M.D., director of the Center, Chief of The Jacobs Neurological Institute and Chair of the Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo. "The State's endorsement of this philosophy helps the process in a very meaningful way," he continued.

The RCSHD is a Center of Excellence within The Jacobs Neurological Institute of the University of New York at Buffalo and Kaleida Health. The RCSHD is located at Buffalo General Hospital of Kaleida Health and is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing stroke and heart disease in Buffalo and Western New York. Its mission is to design and test innovative programs to motivate individuals, health care professionals, and communities to adopt behaviors and practices that have been proven to reduce stroke and heart disease.

Western New York currently has the highest rates of stroke and heart disease in New York State and one of the highest rates in the United States.

For more information, contact the Research Center for Stroke & Heart Disease at Jacobs Neurological Institute at 859-3900.