Free Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Screenings To Broward County Residents

Within the Memorial Healthcare System, providers have observed an alarming rise in advanced Diabetic foot wounds, amputations and undiagnosed or poorly controlled Hypertension, all of which early vascular screening is designed to prevent.

According to the American Heart Association, PAD is a narrowing of the arteries that reduces blood flow to the limbs and affects an estimated 10 to 12 million U.S. adults over age 40. It is a leading cause of amputation, particularly among patients with Diabetes and historically underserved populations. Women also remain significantly underrepresented in vascular research and clinical trials, contributing to gaps in diagnosis, treatment and preventive care.

Directed by Sonya Natalie Tuerff, M.D., Medical Director of Vascular Surgery at Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Miramar through the Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the initiative responds to documented disparities in cardiovascular outcomes across Broward County, particularly among minority residents, lower-income communities and women.

The grant will bring free education, early detection and preventive vascular care directly into community settings where residents already gather, including senior centers, churches, women’s health centers and local primary care offices.

Free Screening: Saturday, July 18 at Memorial Hospital West

The first free community screening is Saturday, July 18th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Hospital West, GME Auditorium A & B, 703 North Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028.

Residents are encouraged to get screened if they have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Leg pain while walking

• Family history of PAD

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol

• Chronic Kidney Disease

• Current or past smoking history

Common symptoms include leg pain, cramping or numbness during walking; sores or wounds on the feet that heal slowly; pale or discolored toes; decreased walking distance; or one leg or foot that feels colder than the other.

To register, call: (954) 844-0907.

“PAD is common and seriously under diagnosed, and women in particular have often been overlooked in the research and clinical guidelines that shape how we treat Vascular Disease,” said Dr. Tuerff. “In many families, women are the ones managing appointments, medications and health decisions for loved ones. When we reach women with information and preventive care, the impact extends throughout entire households and communities. After 25 years in practice, I can tell you early detection can mean the difference between managing a condition and losing a limb.”

How the Grant Funding Will Be Used

With support from Memorial Foundation, the program will deploy portable ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing, a quick, non-invasive comparison of Blood Pressure in the arm and ankle used to detect reduced blood flow; community health worker-led education in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole; and coordinated follow-up care for individuals identified with PAD, Hypertension or Diabetes to help remove barriers between diagnosis and treatment.

The goal over the next year is to expand vascular health education and screen hundreds of Broward County residents while building a community-based model that can be replicated by other health systems.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing health inequities through meaningful, community-centered solutions,” said Kelley E. Morris, President and CEO of the Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. “Through philanthropy, we are able to bring lifesaving education, screenings and preventive care directly to people who might otherwise go without it.”

To support Memorial Foundation's mission or learn more about its programs, visit: http://www.mhs.net/give-back.

About Memorial Healthcare System

South Florida-based Memorial Healthcare System is a national leader in quality care and patient, physician, and employee satisfaction. Its commitment to deeper caring, smarter health, and community outreach prioritizes a person-centered approach that has delivered safe, positive outcomes for more than 70 years. Memorial is committed to healing the body, mind, and spirit of those in its care. For more information, visit: www.mhs.net. And connect on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About Memorial Foundation

Dedicated to supporting healthcare for the community served by Memorial Healthcare System, Memorial Foundation is the central agency through which charitable contributions are made. A volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of prominent business and community leaders and physicians, oversees all aspects of the Foundation's operations.