MetroSouth Medical Center launches campaign to raise awareness on heart disease

More than 100 MetroSouth Medical Center staffers tossed off their sterile booties, donned cowboy boots and line danced to the tune "Achy, Breaky Heart," made famous by Billy Ray Cyrus. The un-rehearsed electric slide dancing and freestyle moves were done to promote the hospital's "Know Your Numbers by Heart" campaign to raise awareness of heart disease prevention.

The video was shot in-house in one day and features employees from all departments in the hospital.  It includes a "howdy" cameo by MetroSouth Medical Center CEO Dr. Enrique Beckmann, toe-tapping cardiologists, patients who wanted to show off their country western steps and a nurse twirling a stethoscope like a lasso.

The three-minute "Red Heart Dance" video has been uploaded to YouTube and is posted on the hospital's website.  It can be viewed here:

"With heart disease still the number one cause of death in this country, our hospital wanted to create awareness for this growing cause for concern," explains Dr. Robert Iaffaldano, MetroSouth Medical Center interventional cardiologist.   "We put our hearts on the line every day taking care of patients and hopefully this video will encourage even just one person to get a heart screening."

The hospital's "Know Your Numbers by Heart" campaign kicks off, Saturday, February 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with an open-to-the-public event and free heart screenings in the lobby of the hospital, 12935 Gregory St., Blue Island.  The event features heart-healthy recipes from south side restaurants, and appearances from TV celebrities and local VIPs, who will share their own heart numbers. More free screenings are also scheduled at various locations on the southside during February.  To register, call 708-489-7927.  For a complete list of screenings, visit www.metrosouthmedicalcenter.com.