DETROIT, MI — Heart disease disproportionately affects the construction industry. The stressful and physically demanding nature of the work often leads to increased rates of cardiac arrest and heart attacks. That is why the American Heart Association announced two local leaders, Ron Henry, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Operations for University of Michigan Health and Kathryn Cochill, Midwest Region Business Development Director at SmithGroup, as Co-Chairs of the 2026 Detroit Hard Hats with Heart campaign. Hard Hats with Heart is a construction industry-specific initiative from the American Heart Association to improve the cardiovascular health of Michigan’s construction workers.
The campaign’s focus is to integrate health, well-being, and prevention solutions into the industry’s culture by inspiring companies to implement initiatives to help employees improve health such as providing healthy food options, promoting physical activity during breaks, implementing stress-reducing programs, educating employees about the signs of heart disease, and teaching employees CPR.
“I’m 59, and heart health has always been personal for me,” Henry said. “I lost a grandfather to a heart attack before I ever knew him, and my dad has had heart issues his whole life. Thankfully, he’s still with us. I also have a pacemaker due to sinus bradycardia caused by an illness at a young age. In the design and construction industry, our livelihoods depend on the tradesmen and tradeswomen who work hard every day. It’s critical to make sure they are heart healthy, and that’s what motivates me."
“I’ve spent my career in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, and I’ve seen firsthand how much we rely on the health and well-being of the people who build our communities,” Cochill added. “Supporting Hard Hats with Heart is my way of giving back, helping raise awareness, and providing resources so those in our industry can lead longer, healthier lives.”
