What are you relentless about achieving in this lifetime? What happens when the greatest pandemic in over 100 years hits and you bear responsibility for millions who are now more vulnerable due to living with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke and other co-morbidities? What happens when those challenges are layered with social and economic inequities that directly impact health?  This opening three-part series gives you an intimate glimpse into the hearts, souls and minds of three distinctive leaders who, like many others, are fighting harder than they ever have to protect those that they serve during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Meet American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown, Dr. Eduardo Sanchez who serves as Chief Medical Officer for Prevention and the Center for Health Metrics and Evaluation and finally, Dr. Comilla Sasson, Vice President for Science & Innovation, Emergency Cardiovascular Care.  Connect with all three as they reveal personal, life-changing stories and an insider’s view into where they come from, how that inspires them, what keeps them up at night, and as a result, what they are relentless about achieving.

Many of us go to work every day hoping that our work means something to someone.  We give our all wanting our efforts to sufficiently measure up against the challenge.  But when, at one point in your career, you’re fighting for the health of 23 million patients, it takes a true passion for humanity to deliver what’s necessary for improving health outcomes.  

Meet the relentless physician who never thought of giving up - Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention and Chief of the Center for Health Metrics and Evaluation, shares perspective changing stories from chapters of his career and personal life. Listen and be moved as he takes us on a journey that paints a very clear picture of what it means to truly care for your fellow man.

Courage and sacrifice are two very important factors in deciding to raise your hand and willingly go into the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak in one of the hardest hit cities in the country- she is the essence of both.  Dr. Comilla Sasson, Vice President for Science & Innovation, Emergency Cardiovascular Care, who just returned from volunteering in a NYC emergency room during Covid-19, reveals why she decided to drop everything and go!  Her passion was so strong that she couldn’t sit still.  She shares how that experience changed her life, what this meant for her family and what prepared her for this moment in time.  

This is the first of our four-part series explores COVID-19 and its potential impact on stroke survivors, their caregivers and families.  Hear stroke patients’ questions and concerns and our stroke experts’ responses.

Moderated by Emmy Award-winning news anchor and journalist Carey Peña, this episode features stroke survivor Christopher Ewing and Dr. Mitchell Elkind, professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

Ewing shares his moving stroke story and the concerns he and fellow stroke survivors in Southern California have about how COVID-19 may affect them.

Elkind addresses stroke survivors’ COVID-19-related health risks and how stroke survivors can reduce their risks and stay healthy during the pandemic.

Moderated by Emmy Award-winning news anchor Carey Peña, this episode features stroke survivor Rachel Scanlon Henry and Dr. Kimberly McGuire, a clinical psychologist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey.

Henry shares her lengthy emotional recovery following her stroke and how it has better equipped her to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. McGuire addresses how stroke survivors can reduce anxiety and stress and get emotional support during this difficult time.

Staying Active at Home Moderated by Emmy Award-winning news anchor and journalist Carey Peña, this episode features stroke survivor Kelly Fucheck and Dr. Rani Whitfield, a board-certified family physician and sports medicine expert.

When Fucheck had two strokes on the same day, she was just 32 years old, severely overweight and a smoker with no fitness regimen. Nine years later, she owns a wellness company and has worked hard to live healthier, including losing weight and being more active. Her physical transformation has helped her weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitfield discusses why physical activity is important for stroke survivors and shares tips and resources for staying active even while staying at home.

Get expert advice on preparing your finances for an unexpected crisis.

This episode features stroke survivor Aqualyn Kennedy and CNBC senior personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a shock to the finances of families across the U.S. A stroke can likewise do sudden and deep financial damage. Kennedy, who had a stroke at age 18 as a college freshman at Spelman College, shares her perspective as a survivor who has confronted financial challenges caused by her stroke and two subsequent heart attacks.

Sharon Epperson, CNBC senior personal finance correspondent and a hemorrhagic stroke survivor, provides advice on preparing your personal finances for the unexpected. She is also a lead contributor to Invest In You: Ready. Set. Grow, CNBC’s financial wellness initiative in partnership with Acorns. Her expertise includes saving and investing for retirement, paying for college, managing mortgages, student loans, credit card and other debt, and building a financial legacy through estate planning.

This episode rounds out our five-part series exploring Covid-19 and its potential impact on stroke survivors.

Although survivors can continue to make progress in their recovery years after a stroke, rehabilitation during the first three months is especially critical.

In our latest podcast, actor and stroke survivor Timothy Omundson shares his story. Plus, a rehab expert answers questions about accessing rehab during the pandemic for stroke survivors and their families.