SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 30, 2025 — One of San Antonio’s top healthcare leaders is joining the fight against heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, named Derrick Cuenca, chief executive officer of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa – Westover Hills, as chairman of the 2025 San Antonio Heart & Stroke Walk.
This powerful community event brings together companies, individuals, and teams in support of heart health and raises awareness of the importance of CPR. The walk will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Northeast Lakeview College, and is expected to draw more than 5,000 participants and raise approximately $815,000 for lifesaving cardiovascular research, education and advocacy across the region.
This year’s event also shines a spotlight on the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™initiative — a bold nationwide movement to turn bystanders into lifesavers through widespread CPR education and training. The goal is to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival.
“CPR is crucial to increasing the chances of survival for those experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrest,” said Cuenca. “As a healthcare leader, I've personally seen CPR in action and the difference it makes.”
“With heart disease as one of the major contributors of death in our communities, we cannot understate the impact of research and implementing it into practice to save lives,” he added. “I’m honored to chair this year’s Heart Walk event to ensure that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference."
Cuenca, a Trinity University alumnus, currently serves as CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa – Westover Hills. He began his healthcare career in the United States Navy where he served for nine years before overseeing hospitals in Texas and New Mexico, leading expansions and improving operations quality and patient satisfaction.
The San Antonio Heart & Stroke Walk is a family-friendly, non-competitive event open to walkers of all ages and fitness levels. It honors survivors of heart disease and stroke and encourages participants to take charge of their own health while raising essential funds for a lifesaving cause.
To register as an individual or start a team, visit SanAntonioHeartWalk.org. Companies interested in sponsorship or team participation can contact Tesha Young at Tesha.Young@heart.org.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Reyna Caraveo: reyna.caraveo@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
