Honoring Long-Time Advocate and Volunteer Leader Miriam Plitt.

Congratulations to RI Advocacy Committee Chair Miriam Plitt who was recently honored with the Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award at the Southern New England Heart Ball. The award celebrates individuals whose extraordinary dedication and leadership have strengthened communities and advanced health outcomes across Southern New England.

For more than 20 years, Miriam has been a driving force for the Heart Association, giving her time, voice, and energy to improve health in Rhode Island and beyond. From leading the local Board of Directors to raising critical funds and advocating in local media, Miriam’s contributions are vast, but her heart has always been advocacy.

Her personal mission is deeply inspiring. Miriam’s grandson, Jacob, was born with a congenital heart defect. He has undergone two surgeries and is now thriving. Motivated by Jacob and the hope of a healthier future for all children, Miriam has traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for lifesaving medical research at the National Institutes of Health and has spent countless hours at the Rhode Island State House advancing policies to improve public health, from healthy school meals to strong tobacco

control laws.

Miriam’s decades of service are deeply woven into the fabric of Rhode Island’s communities. She has served on the Pawtucket School District Wellness Committee, advocated for safe streets initiatives, and championed policies that protect and strengthen the health of residents statewide.

The Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award is the Heart Association’s highest honor in Southern New England. Miriam Plitt’s leadership, compassion, and dedication continue to inspire volunteers, advocates, and families across the region—and the next generation of leaders she champions will carry her mission forward