May 18, 2001

The MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center paid tribute to keeping hearts healthy at the 15th annual "Charlestown Loves A Healthy Heart Day," held at Johnnies Foodmaster in Charlestown May 3.

Several hundred shoppers stopped by to receive free screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, body fat and osteoporosis. Health center staff members were on hand to distribute educational materials about nutrition, exercise, cardiovascular disease, stress reduction and smoking cessation. Other activities included healthy food demonstrations by local vendors and a "healthy heart" poster contest for students at Charlestown's Kent School. Peggy Carolan, administrative director of MGH Charlestown, described the day as "the roadmap to cardiovascular health for Charlestown," and heralded it as the community's response to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's Healthy Heart Initiative. The event was hosted by Foodmaster employees John DeJesus, Larry Mulrey and Eddie DeSimone.