Diane Gutierrez first reached out learn more about the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in 2007 and has been our go-to advocate in Delaware ever since. As the Director of Rehabilitation for St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Diane wanted to learn how she and her organization could get more involved.

She immediately became a passionate advocate, always willing to lend her voice to our issues and always wanting to do more. She regularly presents throughout her community on the signs and symptoms of stroke and on stroke prevention and even reinvigorated a Stroke Support Group at a local Senior Center.

Diane has attended several lobby days, both at Legislative Hall in Dover and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She also serves on AHA’s Delaware Advocacy and Policy Advisory Committee, has provided testimony before the DE Joint Finance Committee and even meets with legislators on key issues beyond lobby days.

“Diane takes the initiative in representing the American Heart Association at various health information and health fair events,” says Jonathan Kirch, DE Government Relations Director. “She has become an indispensible part of our advocacy efforts in Delaware and has truly become a part of our advocacy team.” Thanks, Diane, for all you do for the First State!