By Rubin E. Grant
Dr. Tom Eagan and his wife, Kendall Eagan, consider themselves a team, since they have been married for 36 years.
So, the couple, who live in Mountain Brook, are thrilled that they are being recognized as the 2022 Heart Ball honorees.
The American Heart Association will host the 35th annual Birmingham Heart Ball on March 12 at 6 p.m. at Barber Motorsports Museum.
Tom Eagan is a board-certified cardiologist with Cardiovascular Associates and has an extensive background in invasive and interventional cardiac, peripheral vascular and venous interventions. Kendall Eagan is a CPA and works for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. She has served on several boards and is actively involved with numerous philanthropic organizations across Birmingham.
“My wife, Kendall, and I are incredibly honored to serve as the 2022 Birmingham Heart Ball honorees,” Tom said. “It’s a team effort. To get to where I am I couldn’t have done it without Kendall. She’s been with me for my residency, my fellowship and has traveled all across the country with me. I have worked with cardiovascular disease, but she has been a charity leader.”
Kendall said she was “surprised and humbled” they were selected as honorees. She said her husband has played a vital role in her volunteer work, which has included serving on several boards and being actively involved with the Robert E. Reed Foundation, Linly Heflin, King’s Home, the Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama, the Junior League of Birmingham and the upcoming World Games.
“I do a lot of volunteering,” Kendall said, “but Tom has always helped me. We did a King’s Home fundraiser putting up bows around the city recently and Tom would drive me late at night to deliver bows. He also helps me with calls for all of my fundraisers.”
Kendall began volunteering while working for a bank.
“I was with AmSouth, which is now Regions, and (then CEO) Dowd Ritter volunteered me for all kinds of charities we supported,” she said. “That gave me an awareness of the needs in the Birmingham community and all the opportunities to help. I also met a lot of great people.
“When we moved to Atlanta, I volunteered with juvenile diabetes and cystic fibrosis. And when we moved back to Birmingham I just continued.”
Focusing on Heart Health
Since February is Heart Health Awareness Month, Tom appreciates focusing on cardiovascular disease, especially in light of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s extremely important and something that we need to remember,” Tom said. “We are proud to be working alongside the American Heart Association in furthering the organization’s mission and building a healthier community for all.
“Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans. Unfortunately, heart disease and stroke are all too common here in our state, and I have seen firsthand the devastating impact these conditions can have on people’s lives, along with strokes. We kind of lost our way and got distracted with COVID, so it’s nice to have a month to refocus on cardiovascular disease.
“Because of COVID, patients have been scared of coming to the doctor and having procedures done and have not been getting the care they need. We’ve seen COVID-related illnesses to every system in the body. It has not affected only the heart, but the entire cardiovascular system leading to heart attacks and damaging blood vessels. It is one of the great challenges in health care. It’s put a burden on health care professionals.”
The Eagans will lead the effort to use the Birmingham Heart Ball to raise money to help support the AHA, which seeks to increase heart and brain health. This year’s event will feature live and silent auctions, special guest speakers and other entertainment. Sheri Falk and Guy Rawlings from WVTM-13 will serve as program emcees.
To date, the Birmingham Heart Ball has raised more than $18 million for local research, advocacy and community education efforts to fight cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The event is presented by Brookwood Baptist Health. Other sponsors include Alabama Power, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, McWane, McPherson Oil, Medical Properties Trust, UAB Cardiovascular Surgery and Vulcan Materials. WVTM-13 is the event’s media sponsor.
For more information, visit birminghamheartball.heart.org.
