Advancing heart health in
vulnerable communities
Engaging students in meaningful clinical service to bridge the healthcare gap for the homeless population worldwide.
Our History
"Innovation born from compassion."
In 2015, three biomedical sciences students at the University of Central Florida — Andrew Aboujaoude, Jennifer Carvel, and Alexis Ghersi — stumbled upon a serious issue. They noticed that the homeless population is among the most vulnerable to cardiac diseases due to a lack of access to healthcare and information.
Eager to help, they mapped out a pilot program and were invited to attend the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative's Social Venture Challenge. H4H was selected as the Social Venture winner and provided generous seed funding by The Resolution Project. With this boost, H4H Orlando began providing free heart health screenings at local food shares.
By working alongside shelters, free clinics, and other non-profits, H4H helps reduce the prevalence of hypertension and cardiac disease. Each screening presents a chance for university students to gain volunteer experience while promoting community awareness.
Global Reach Today
Today, our members operate over 40 chapters in the US alone. H4H has expanded internationally to Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Jordan, Lebanon, and Hungary. No matter where we are, our focus remains on bringing heart health screening and education to those in need.
Core Values
Compassion First
We believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right. Every interaction is grounded in empathy, dignity, and respect for the individuals we serve.
Community Collaboration
We don't work in isolation. We build bridges with local shelters, clinics, and community leaders to create sustainable support networks.
Student Leadership
We empower the next generation of healthcare professionals. Our volunteers gain invaluable hands-on experience that shapes their future careers.
Meet The Board
Andrew Aboujaoude
✉️ andrew@h4hinternational.org
🏢 Research
Dinith Mendis
✉️ gerard@h4hinternational.org
🏢 HR | PR
Emma Scott
✉️ emma@h4hinternational.org
🏢 MIO | IA | EA
Jacob Rose
✉️ jacob@h4hinternational.org
🏢 Finance
Eric Lee
✉️ eric@h4hinternational.org
🏢 MIO
Jennifer Harmon
✉️ jennifer@h4hinternational.org
🏢 Research
Email:
Department:
Our Departments
Expansion & International Affairs
Finance
Human Resources
Internal Affairs
Marketing & Public Relations
Mental Health & Innovation
Ready to make a difference?
Whether you're a student looking to volunteer or a supporter wanting to contribute, there's a place for you at Hearts for the Homeless.