Tampa Bay, Fla. Dec. 12, 2025 — Stephanie Conners, president and CEO, BayCare Health System, will serve as chair of the 2026 Tampa Bay Heart Walk. Throughout the year, she will bring together community members and local companies to strengthen CPR education and raise essential funds for the American Heart Association.

Sudden cardiac arrest continues to be one of the most urgent health challenges facing communities. Nine out of ten people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, and many never receive CPR from someone close by. Immediate CPR can double or even triple the odds of survival.

Through the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, a prominent theme of Heart Walk, the Association is working to empower more people to confidently respond to cardiac emergencies, supporting its goal of doubling the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030.

The Heart Walk serves as the Association’s largest community-engagement platform, fueling lifesaving research, promoting accessible CPR education, and advancing equitable health. Led by Conners, top executives across Tampa Bay will work to involve more organizations in the Heart Walk campaign, helping build a strong, prepared community.

“Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and survival often depends on whether someone nearby knows how to perform CPR,” Conners said. “That’s why we want at least one person in every household to be ready to perform hands-only CPR. Quick action from a lay responder is the first critical link in the chain of survival – and when that care continues through emergency services and into the hospital, patients have the best chance of recovery.”

“By joining the Heart Walk and encouraging staff to learn CPR, employers can empower their teams with the confidence to act when every second matters, knowing that hospitals stand ready to provide the next lifesaving steps, she said.”

Findings from the American Heart Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey show encouraging momentum: 39% of U.S. adults—approximately 103 million people—feel extremely or very confident in performing CPR, up from 33% in 2021. This means 17.7 million more adults believe they could do it. Yet 61% still do not feel fully confident, highlighting a continued need for widespread training and awareness.

“While we’re proud of the progress over the last few years, there is still significant work ahead,” said Nina Morgan, executive director for the American Heart Association, Tampa Bay. “Stephanie’s passion for this mission and her commitment to building a stronger, healthier Tampa Bay make her an outstanding leader for this year’s Heart Walk. We’re energized by the momentum already underway and look forward to the incredible impact our community will create together.”

Companies interested in participating in the 2026 Tampa Bay Heart Walk can contact Shannon O’Kennedy, Heart Walk director, at Shannon.okennedy@heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Madison Potter; madison.potter@heart.org

 

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org