Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut
Chief Executive Officer

Diana Krecsy, RN, BN, M. Ed.

Diana Krecsy's path to becoming CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut (HSFA) began in 1986, when she began her career as a Registered Nurse. During her 20+ years in nursing, she spent many years working as an acute care clinical nurse in numerous specialty areas, often working with patients and families dealing with the impact of vascular health concerns, including cardiac, neurological and peripheral vascular diseases. From 1992-2004, Diana also worked as a tenured Nurse Educator, where she guided her nursing students through practicums in acute care settings, and shared her understanding of the root causes of disease through her instruction in Pathophysiology.

In 2004, Diana joined HSFA as the Vice-President, Health Promotion, Education and Research. Her results-oriented approach helped Diana to successfully facilitate the collaboration of government representatives, stroke specialists, researchers and other health professionals to establish the Alberta Provincial Stroke Strategy (see below).

In October, 2005, Diana Krecsy was appointed CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut. In her four years as CEO, Diana’s passionate drive to improve quality of life for everyone in Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut is evident. HSFA highlights in this time include:

  • Contributing force in the formation of the Alberta Provincial Stroke Strategy (APSS). APSS receives funding from the Alberta Provincial Government to improve stroke prevention and care across the province. It is a collaborative partnership between the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut, Alberta Health and Wellness, and Alberta Health Services. In October 2009, APSS received the Premier’s Award of Excellence - 2009 Bronze Award.
  • Involvement with the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Alberta (CSFA). The coalition, with representation by numerous health organizations including HSFA, Alberta Cancer Board, Regional Health Authorities, and The Lung Association (Alberta & NWT), has successfully lobbied the Government of Alberta to enact stringent anti-smoking legislation that protects all Albertans.
  • Research funding is a key focus for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The Foundation is also instrumental in facilitating the transfer of research findings to practical applications, such as new treatment protocols, health awareness campaigns, and health education. In the last 5 years, Diana has helped to strengthen the ties between HSFA and Alberta’s world-class research community within the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge, and their affiliated institutions, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, and the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neurosciences.

In her family life, Diana and her husband Richard celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. Diana and Richard, along with their 20-year-old daughter Ashley, are ongoing HSFA volunteers, contributing to the door-to-door campaigns every February and June, as well as various fundraising events throughout the year. For the Krecsy’s, vascular health is a family commitment.