Photo: Georgia Fojtasek (right) is presented the award by emcee Lila Lazarus. Courtesy photo.
The American Heart Association honored Henry Ford Allegiance Health President Emeritus Georgia Fojtasek with the Coeur Vitae Award for Community Service at its annual Heart Ball last week. The Coeur Vitae (Heart of Life) Award is given annually to an individual who, through tireless dedication to their community, demonstrates love and caring for their fellow man.
During her 30 years in leadership, Fojtasek was a driving force in making top-notch cardiovascular care accessible at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. She championed the creation of an open-heart surgery program that offers services ranging from open-heart surgery to cardiac catheterization and angioplasty to minimally invasive vascular procedures and aneurysm repair, all available locally.
“I am truly honored to be this year’s recipient of the Coeur Vitae Award,” Fojtasek said. “As a leader, you can set a compelling vision, but it takes gifted, dedicated professionals to galvanize around that vision and run with it. I am in awe of what this amazing team has accomplished and am excited as I anticipate even more extraordinary growth in heart care options for patients in our community.”
Fojtasek was instrumental in the creation of the new Structural Heart Program as well, which recently introduced patients to the minimally invasive option of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other innovative procedures offered to address a range of heart-related concerns include WATCHMAN, the revolutionary new implantable device used to prevent stroke caused by blood clots in the brain.
“Georgia’s recognition from the American Heart Association is well earned. Her heart of compassion—her heart of life—and her passion for the health and well-being of her community have inspired countless individuals and brought about extraordinary advancements in heart care that continue to change lives for the better every day,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees Vice Chair Martha Fuerstenau.