Skyland Trail Advances Community Health Through Healthy Hearts & Mind Initiative

ATLANTA, Ga. — Skyland Trail is strengthening its commitment to whole-person health through initiatives focused on cardiac emergency preparedness and long-term mental health outcomes.

As part of the Healthy Hearts and Minds initiative, Skyland Trail has partnered with the American Heart Association and Invesco to expand cardiac health and emergency response capabilities across metro Atlanta. The collaboration honors the legacy of Mark Giuliano, whose commitment to community continues to inspire life-saving efforts.

Left to right: Carla Smith, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, American Heart Association in Atlanta; Kathleen Rast and Pam McAdams, Skyland Trail; Andrew Schlossberg, CEO, Invesco

Through grant funding and resources provided by the American Heart Association, Skyland Trail has increased staff CPR training, installed an additional automated external defibrillator, and implemented a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan. These efforts enhance the organization’s readiness to respond to cardiac emergencies while contributing to a broader regional effort to improve survival outcomes.

In a parallel effort to advance brain health, Skyland Trail is expanding research through its Longitudinal Outcomes Study, supported in-part by a $235,000 grant from the “Shifting Gears on Brain Health” initiative. In August 2023, cyclists Powell, Kellim, and Barrett Brown completed a 7-day, 470-mile ride through the French Alps to raise funds for mental and brain health research, education, prevention, and treatment.

Skyland Trail’s study tracks outcomes for adult and adolescent graduates following residential treatment, collecting data at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge. The research aims to better understand how individuals sustain recovery, identify common challenges after treatment, and refine interventions to improve long-term success.

Findings from the study will inform Skyland Trail’s clinical approach and contribute to the broader mental healthcare field by sharing insights with other residential treatment providers.

“By investing in both physical and mental health initiatives, we are working to build a stronger, more resilient community,” says Beth Finnerty, Skyland Trail president & CEO. “These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to improving lives through compassionate care, research, and education.”