MEET THE NASHVILLE ADVISORY COUNCIL

​CYNTHIA HUNTER-JOHNSON, BP, MA | Heart N Hands Nashville Affiliate Chapter Lead 
Cynthia attended Fontbonne University and graduated with a M.A. degree, focusing on Multidisciplinary Health Communications. She was employed with Express Scripts for 6 years as a pharmacy technician, a vendor liaison, and she became an ESI events representative. Attending American Heart Association events like, Power to End Stroke, the Heart Gala, Go Red for Women, as well as, events for the Boys and Girls club and others.    She later relocated to Nashville, TN to work in health insurance industry for Anthem Inc. for the last 5 years within the Quality Management department; she continues to connect her educational background, work experiences, and volunteerism promoting better health outcomes.   

---

Annessa Cook, LPN
Annessa Cook is a Licensed Practical Nurse with more than 18 years of experience in the nursing industry.
​She currently works in Quality Management at Anthem and has experience in various areas of nursing.

Dr. Nevonna Davis
Dr. Davis works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Acquisitions Liaison for healthcare contracts. She is also a Professor of Business Ethics for Williamson Christian College. She has over 20 years of healthcare experience in government and civilian hospitals.

Theresa Miller, MBA
Theresa holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Training/Development along with several certificates in business and organizational/training development. Theresa currently works as an Accreditation Manager for Anthem.

---

WHO WE ARE

Our MISSION is to EMPOWER, EDUCATE and RAISE AWARENESS of heart health, heart disease prevention, provide heart health education, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices for young girls aged 10-18 and their families.

We promote physical activity, heart healthy eating and heart healthy lifestyle choices. 

Our GOAL is to achieve improved heart health and increased education and awareness in young girls with a focus on heart disease prevention - no. 1 killer of women. 
​

Meet our Founder, President & Heart Disease Survivor, Essence Banks

Essence Harris Banks, Founder & President

Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor and advocate since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence was in the prime of her life, the picture of health when she started experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts. Then one day as she was carrying her son, Jaden inside she could not catch her breath and felt fluttering in her chest - she knew something was wrong. Her primary care physical at the time ran several tests - NOTHING - then told her she was having panic attacks and to take 3 days off of work. Essence knew there was more to story so she contacted a cardiologist who discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Today, Essence is a supporter and advocate of heart health awareness in women and works with organizations such as American Heart Association (Executive Leadership Team for GoRed, Circle of Red) and WomenHeart Spokeswoman and Champion -National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease.  
​                                                                                               "Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, know the warnings signs, risk factors and LISTEN to your body ." Essence
​

---

---

Do you know what causes cardiovascular disease in women? What about the survival rate? Or whether women of all ethnicities share the same risk?

The fact is: cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute!
​
But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. What’s more: These facts only begin to scratch the surface.
​
There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women, and they could be putting you at risk.

---

---

2021 EVENTS

• "Running for the HEART" Virtual 5K Run/Walk

October 16, 2021

---

---

Cynthia Hunter-Johnson

Nashville lead

We would love to hear from you! 

Contact Me!

---