Become a WomenHeart Champion!

WomenHeart is currently looking for dynamic, driven women living with heart disease to apply to become WomenHeart Champions at the 2022 WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium. This is the nation’s only volunteer program that trains women with heart disease to serve as educators, advocates, and support for women living with heart disease.

About the Science & Leadership Symposium

Since 2002, the nationally renowned WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium has brought together over 1,000 women living with heart disease. During this training, women gain skills and education to become volunteer leaders, community educators, national spokeswomen, patient advocates, and support network leaders to empower women to take charge of their own health. WomenHeart selects women heart patients each year, through a comprehensive and competitive application process, to attend this prestigious 3-day educational symposium at one of the nation’s leading women’s heart institutions – The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

WomenHeart Champions are trained on the science of heart disease, how to share their story and message effectively, and how to become powerful patient advocates. They are also equipped with skills in leading support groups, presenting heart disease education, and engaging communities through outreach, such as local media, community health fairs, or other local events. All participants will receive training in the following areas:

• One-to-one and group peer support
• Support group management and engagement
• Community education and outreach
• Public speaking
• Advocacy

The WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium training will help you develop an action plan for the work you do in your community. WomenHeart will also provide you with resources to aid you along the way.

This year’s symposium will be held in person on October 7-10, 2022, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. WomenHeart also has plans to host virtual symposiums for interested women in 2023. Please consider applying whether you are interested in the in-person or virtual options.

Eligibility to Apply

Women interested in applying must meet the following criteria:

• Woman, or person identifying as a woman, currently living with or has previously been diagnosed with heart disease
• At least 6 months post most recent cardiovascular event (e.g., surgery, heart attack)
• Women who are emotionally and physically ready to serve as a women’s heart health advocate