Mrs. New Jersey United States Pageant - 2009 Woman of Achievement Award

The Mrs. New Jersey United States Woman of Achievement Award 2009
The Mrs. New Jersey United States Woman of Achievement Award is a specially designed award honoring those outstanding women that call New Jersey their home. The Organization believes that married women should be recognized for their ability to integrate confidence... intelligence... success... and beauty, all at the same time! We recognize our contestants through our pageant, but we also feel it is important to recognize those women outside of the pageant who have made significant contributions. We were proud to present the 2009 Woman of Achievement Award to Mrs. Robin Vitale.
	Robin Vitale serves as the Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association of the Founders Affiliate, with current oversight of the organization’s legislative strategy in New York City , Albany and Montpelier . Robin’s tenure with the organization has yielded many notable public health measures being implemented as statewide law. Working to eradicate the #1 preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases, Robin has worked to achieve strong tobacco control measures across the region. She worked alongside the NJ Breathes Coalition to advocate for the state’s Smoke Free Air Act, effectively removing tobacco smoke from most indoor public places in New Jersey . Her efforts have served to increase the cost of cigarettes across the region, as well as support government funding for tobacco cessation services. Robin’s work with the organization has also produced strong school nutritional standards in New Jersey . Under her supervision, more ‘green carts’ are being placed in underserved neighborhoods in the boroughs of New York City, providing greater access to fruits and vegetables. Victims of sudden cardiac arrest will experience a greater increase in the likelihood of survival as a result of defibrillators being placed in all NJ health clubs. In Vermont , more defibrillators will be placed in public locations, thanks to a much more comprehensive Good Samaritan Law.
Mrs. Robin Viale American Heart Association 2009 Achievement Award
In addition, Robin advocated for the requirement that all New Jersey physicians be trained in cultural competency as a condition of their licensure. Robin also coordinated New Jersey ’s efforts with the Go Red for Women movement in 2006, effectively educating New Jersey women on their risk of heart disease and stroke. She is currently spearheading a writing group from the NorthEast Cerebrovascular Consortium, focused on Primordial and Primary Prevention of Stroke. Robin received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychobiology from Drew University and her Masters in the Art of Teaching, specializing in Secondary Biology from The College of New Jersey. Robin has been featured in Woman’s Day Magazine and Discovery Health Channel for her work in health-related outreach. Prior to becoming a staff member of the American Heart Association, Robin also received the illustrious HeartSaver Award from the organization in 2002 for her work in cardiac prevention education. Robin acknowledges that none of her achievements would have been possible without the love and support of her family, including the steadfast commitment provided by her husband, New Jersey Senator Joseph Vitale.