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Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms

Meet the 2026-2027 Georgia State Advocacy Committee

November 11, 2026

The American Heart Association is proud to introduce the 2026-2027 Georgia State Advocacy Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers who help shape our public policy priorities and advocate for healthier communities across the state.

Representing communities from Savannah to Albany and backgrounds ranging from medicine and public health to journalism and student leadership, these advocates bring valuable expertise and personal experiences to our work.

Meet the Committee

  • Jonathan Kim, MD, MSc (Atlanta) – Professor of Medicine and Sports Cardiology specialist at Emory University, focusing on athlete heart health.
  • Daniel O’Neal, BSN, RN, SCRN (Thomasville) – Stroke program leader at Archbold Health System and advocate for improving stroke care across rural Georgia.
  • Andrea Towns-Byrd (Albany) – Sudden cardiac arrest advocate whose family experience inspired a passion for CPR, AED awareness, and public education.
  • Dreson Montford (Atlanta) – Student leader and athlete with a strong interest in advocacy, leadership, and community impact.
  • Ciara Callicott (Atlanta) – Government Relations Director at Right to Start and longtime passionate advocate for school nutrition.
  • Julia Bey (Atlanta) – Student leader, track athlete, and American Heart Association student ambassador.
  • Nichele Hoskins (Savannah) – Journalist and heart disease survivor dedicated to helping others understand and improve their heart health.
  • Allen Jernigan (Gainesville) – Business owner, stroke survivor, and longtime American Heart Association volunteer and advocate.
  • Donna S. Martin, EdS, RDN, LD (Augusta) – Former school nutrition director and nationally recognized leader in student nutrition.
  • Damian Francis, PhD (Milledgeville) – Epidemiologist and public health researcher focused on health disparities, food security, and access to care.

The committee recently approved Georgia’s 2026-2027 policy agenda that will help guide advocacy efforts throughout the coming year. Their work will support policies focused on access to care, stroke care, healthy school meals, tobacco cessation, and other priorities that help Georgians live longer, healthier lives.

Watch for upcoming American Heart Association Heart Powered opportunities to get involved and learn how you can help advance heart and brain health across Georgia.