MTSU and the American Heart Association are celebrating the results of the 2021 Rutherford Heart Walk with heartfelt joy. 

The Sept. 25 event raised approximately $102,590, with MTSU placing third among the top participating companies with $3,189.53 and first among the participants in the Move More Challenge with 566 minutes. The challenge is a series of customizable workplace events designed to help companies have a positive impact on employee health and well-being.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, leader of the 2021 Rutherford County Heart Walk, addresses the participants at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium Sept. 25. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, was fifth among the top walkers with just over $1,000 raised. Huber, who suffered a heart attack four years ago and whose wife underwent surgery to repair an aortic valve five years ago, led the walk as this year’s chair.

“I deeply appreciate the opportunity to increase heart health awareness while serving as this year’s Rutherford County Heart Walk chair,” Huber said. “Both my wife and I survived open heart surgery without heart damage aided by our disciplined approach to a healthy lifestyle.”

Dr. Jenny Sauls

Funds raised from the walk will be applied to research, advocacy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and the promotion of better health. Jenny Sauls, director of the MTSU School of Nursing, said her family also has been touched by heart disease, prompting her concern and involvement.

“I have proudly served 10-plus years on the board for the Rutherford County chapter and happily represented the School of Nursing as the sponsoring department for the 2021 Heart Walk,” said Sauls, whose school sponsored an on-campus massage event and shoe drive to raise funds. “We know that the money we raised will be used for a worthy cause.”

Under an inflatable heart-shaped canopy, participants embark on the 2021 Rutherford County Heart Walk at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium Sept. 25. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Participants and teams embarked from Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium at 8 a.m. The theme of this year’s event was Heart Walk Here, which enabled participants to use the event path or create paths of their own. Last year’s event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Hilary Miller

“In addition to the fundraising and awareness raising, it was great to work with students again in a safe, outdoor setting,” said Hilary Miller, director of the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.

The Daniels Center fielded the top team in the walk’s Move More Challenge, with 566 minutes logged.

The Rutherford Heart Walk was sponsored by Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. For more information about combating heart disease, go to https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/tennessee/nashville.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)

Participants in the 2021 Rutherford County Heart Walk write their reasons for walking to raise funding for heart disease research on a white board Sept. 25 at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Three Rutherford County Heart Walk participants indicate the individuals for whom they are walking Sept. 25 at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)