NILES — Dr. Virginia Banks may have won a prestigious award for her exemplary work during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, but she was not hesitant to share it.

“I just work; that’s all I do,” said Banks, affectionately known as “Dee,” after she was the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Live Fierce Award.

As quickly as she accepted the honor during Saturday’s annual Heart of Tri-County Sweet Heart Ball at the Eastwood Events Centre, Banks said that the award was for all who have fought, and continue to fight, on the front lines to protect the public. Many of them have suffered emotionally since the pandemic struck, including developing post-traumatic stress disorder, she noted.

The other two award finalists were Dr. Benjamin Angelo, a registered nurse in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital’s emergency department, and Dr. Maria D. Kowal, a pediatrician and chief medical officer of the Youngstown Community Health Center (One Health Ohio).

Serving as master of ceremonies was Derek Steyer, a news anchor with WFMJ-TV 21.

A few hundred health care workers, survivors of cardiovascular disease, supporters and others attended the gala. The event was the culmination of the American Heart Association’s yearlong effort, via the Heart of Tri-County campaign, to drive the importance of equitable health for the entire community and raise funds to support the organization’s lifesaving work.

Banks, who has been in the medical field about 47 years, is an infectious disease specialist with North Eastern Ohio Infectious Disease Associates. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, she quickly disseminated facts about the viral disease and tried to dispel myths surrounding being vaccinated; in addition, while also working full time, she tried to educate people about COVID-19’s dangers and how to protect themselves from it.

During the past 19 months, Banks also has sought to educate black communities, locally and nationally, about the disease via Zoom meetings, podcasts, seminars, public-service videos, online live sessions and radio commercials.

“It’s important to acknowledge you’re dealing with it,” Banks said.

The health expert also expressed concerns that, like the HIV / AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, a greater number of young people are showing symptoms of, or dying from, COVID-19.

The pandemic has taken its toll on the Mahoning Valley, partly by amplifying existing problems, but the link between poverty and high cardiovascular disease rates in the area remains, Tracy Behnke, the Northeast Ohio American Heart Association’s executive director, said.

“The city of Youngstown has the second highest poverty rate of any city nationwide, which means our communities lack the most basic needs, including access to healthy food, which can lead to higher rates of heart disease and stroke,” Behnke noted.

Also among those who spoke during the gala was Dr. Lucas W. Henn, a cardiothoracic surgeon with Mercy Health.

Henn, who also has practiced in Germany, New York City and Los Angeles, noted that about 38 percent of the local population has high blood pressure and 35 percent are defined as obese.

Henn added that the American Heart Association is “fueled by passion,” and that after returning to the Valley, he sought to align himself with the organization’s mission.

To fight the lack of access to healthful foods, which can lead to malnourishment or unhealthful meal choices, Youngstown City Council approved a measure earlier this month to make healthful beverages such as low-fat milk, water and fruit juices “default” options offered with kids’ meals to replace sodas and other drinks high in sugar. The local AHA has led the effort.

“The American Heart Association is working alongside our volunteers, donors and community collaborators to ensure that the food we eat is accessible, affordable, sufficient, healthy, relevant and equitable,” Behnke said.

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