High Visibility “Walk by FAITH!” Event Celebrates Intervention’s First Decade

What started as a class project for LaPrincess Brewer, MD’s Public Health course in Baltimore ten years ago, "Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health" (FAITH!), has become a proven cardiovascular and wellness intervention for African American faith communities that is now active in six churches across Rochester and the Twin Cities. In recognition of FAITH’s 10-year Anniversary, a celebration—including a heart fair, a presentation by Dr. Brewer, and 2-mile "Walk by FAITH!" walk around Rochester—was held August 25, 2018. In addition to Mayo Clinic’s Department of Cardiovas-cular Medicine Department Chair, Paul Friedman, MD, dignitaries in attendance included City Council-woman Sandra Means, Mayor Ardell Brede, MN State Senator David Senjem, MN State Representa-tives Duane Sauke and Tina Liebling, and MN Department of Health’s Helen Jackson Lockett-El from the DOH’s Center for Health Equity. The event was covered by both the local CBS and ABC affiliates.