My Heart Spark Foundation, Inc.
dba Heart Spark Research and Innovation Institute
The My Heart Spark Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit research and education organization with a bold mission: to transform cardiovascular care—especially for cancer survivors and underserved communities—through innovation, equity, and collaboration. We envision a world in which all individuals have access to proactive, patient-centered, and data-driven heart health solutions. Our approach blends cutting-edge research, professional and patient education, advocacy, and the thoughtful integration of technology. At the core of our operations are three pillars: research, education, and advocacy.
In our research work, we conduct innovative clinical studies like the PACT Feasibility Trial, exploring the use of AI-powered clinical decision tools in cardio-oncology. We prioritize generalizability in every study by recruiting diverse participants and applying robust analytic methods. We collaborate with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare systems to explore and implement cardioprotective strategies that are accessible and impactful.
Our educational efforts span both professional development and community outreach. For healthcare providers, we offer workshops, digital courses, and seminars focused on preventive cardiology, cardio-oncology, and personalized approaches to care. For patients and caregivers, we offer culturally sensitive, evidence-based programming to increase health literacy, promote cardiovascular wellness, and build self-advocacy skills. We believe that informed communities are empowered communities.
Through our advocacy and community engagement initiatives, we hold space for healing and connection. From community walks and cultural arts programming to virtual support spaces and wellness events, we are committed to meeting people where they are—honoring their stories while promoting whole-person care. We also offer direct advocacy to help patients navigate healthcare systems, understand their cardiovascular risks, and access preventive care services.
Our work is supported through a variety of funding sources, including research grants, corporate and philanthropic sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and individual donations. Each partnership strengthens our capacity to reach more lives and spark systemic change.
The Foundation was founded by Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, a nationally recognized board-certified cardiologist and physician scientist whose expertise spans cardio-oncology, preventive cardiology, health equity, and digital innovation. Her vision is rooted in both rigorous science and deep compassion. Under her leadership, we are building bridges between science and society, clinicians and communities, discovery and action. At My Heart Spark Foundation, we do not simply conduct research—we reimagine what it means to do research with the community, not just for it. Together, we are sparking forward a more equitable future in heart health.
We are registered as a public charity in California.
We also plan to register in Florida, and we have submitted our application to IRS for 501(c)(3) status.
We have 2 fiscal sponsors, which are like our big brother and sister in the non-profit world.
Our big brother is another non-profit research organization established in 2004.
Our big sister is another non-profit organization that organizes efforts for social good.
We hope to be able to introduce you to even more of our world! We will be in touch soon.
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heartsparkrii.com
Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown – Visionary Founder and Board Chair, Heart Spark RII
Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, is a nationally recognized physician-scientist, cardio-oncologist, and innovator whose leadership blends clinical excellence with visionary insight. As the Founder and Executive Director of Heart Spark Research & Innovation Institute, she leads with a powerful sense of mission: to advance equity, innovation, and patient-centered care for cancer survivors and underserved communities through cardiovascular research, education, and advocacy.
At the heart of Dr. Brown’s leadership is her dedication to building bold new infrastructures—ones that don’t just replicate existing systems but fundamentally reimagine them. She brings more than two decades of expertise across medicine, academic research, and systems transformation, combined with deep empathy as a patient advocate, mentor, and community leader. With a rare combination of intellectual depth and human connection, she empowers board members and volunteers to step into their own leadership while holding the organization’s vision with unwavering clarity.
In this formative chapter of Heart Spark RII’s journey, Dr. Brown invites inaugural board members into a once-in-a-generation opportunity: to shape not just a mission, but a movement. The nonprofit's charter—its “what”—has been established. Now, under Dr. Brown’s guidance, the board is being asked to shape the “how”: the culture, structures, and systems that will sustain and scale the impact of the organization in a way that is both strategic and deeply humane.
With Dr. Brown at the helm, board service is never transactional. It is transformational. She sets a tone of inclusion, trust, and mutual respect—encouraging every board member to bring their full lived experience, skills, and voice to the table. She offers a rare kind of mentorship: one rooted in humility and the belief that even in governance, healing and justice are possible.
Applicants who engage with the board process are welcomed into a thoughtful, relational flow—designed by Dr. Brown to be not only evaluative, but enlightening. From the initial video chat to the alignment form and scenario-based interviews, the process reflects the values that Heart Spark RII holds sacred: clarity, community, reflection, and intentionality. Dr. Brown sees each applicant not just as a resume, but as a story—a story that may now become part of the fabric of a growing, living institution.
Dr. Brown’s leadership in this setting is not simply administrative. It is profoundly generative. She brings the vision, integrity, and architectural brilliance to build something that will last—and she calls forward others with the heart, spark, and courage to help lead the way. Under her direction, Heart Spark RII isn’t just launching a board. It’s cultivating a fellowship of changemakers who will shape the future of equitable, research-driven health care for years to come.