HeartSense Awarded Grant from the Louisiana Blue Foundation to Launch AI-Powered HBCU Heart Screening Initiative

Historically Black colleges and university students to lead AI-driven screenings, expanding access to life-saving heart health in underserved communities

LAFAYETTE, LA, [July 11, 2025] – HeartSense, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating disparities in cardiovascular health, has received a $50,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation (Louisiana Blue Foundation) to launch an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven heart screening program led by students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This initiative will train students at Southern University School of Nursing and Xavier University College of Pharmacy to use AI-powered diagnostic technology to detect structural heart disease in high-risk communities—without requiring a physician’s presence.

The program will address the alarming reality that 80% of individuals with structural heart disease remain undiagnosed due to barriers in healthcare access. By equipping future healthcare professionals with cost-effective, AI-powered screening tools, HeartSense is bridging critical gaps in care and ensuring that more individuals receive life-saving diagnoses before it’s too late.

“With this generous support from the Louisiana Blue Foundation, we are launching an initiative that will revolutionize how underserved communities receive heart health screenings,” said Dr. V. Antoine Keller, Founder of HeartSense. “By integrating AI-powered screening into nursing and pharmacy training at HBCUs, we are not only expanding access to early detection but also developing a new generation of healthcare leaders who will be on the front lines of heart health equity.”

A New Model for Community-Based Heart Health

This first-of-its-kind initiative introduces two groundbreaking student-led models aimed at increasing access to preventive heart screenings in Louisiana’s most vulnerable communities:

● Southern University School of Nursing will develop a community-based AI-driven nursing platform, empowering students to identify at-risk individuals and refer them for specialized care.

● Xavier University College of Pharmacy will introduce an AI-powered pharmacy screening model, integrating cardiac risk assessments into routine pharmacy visits, similar to existing blood pressure screenings.

Strengthening Community Partnerships for a Healthier Future

“At the Louisiana Blue Foundation, we are committed to investing in community-driven healthcare solutions that expand access to care,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Louisiana Blue Foundation. “Through this partnership with HeartSense, we are supporting an innovative approach that not only delivers early detection and intervention for heart disease, but also empowers future healthcare leaders at Louisiana’s HBCUs. By harnessing AI technology and student-led community engagement, we are ensuring that more Louisianians—especially those in historically underserved areas—get the life-saving screenings and follow-up care they need to live longer, healthier lives.”

HeartSense is actively seeking new partnerships with hospitals, community organizations, corporate sponsors, and healthcare providers to expand this initiative and bring life-saving screenings to more Louisiana residents. Organizations and individuals interested in partnering with HeartSense, hosting a screening event, or supporting the initiative can visit www.heart-sense.org to learn more.

About the Louisiana Blue Foundation

The Louisiana Blue Foundation makes grants to improve health outcomes for Louisiana’s people. Its grant programs are particularly focused on the social determinants of health, which are the everyday circumstances that influence a person’s health. 

Since 2020, the Foundation has made more than $40 million in grants to nonprofits addressing public health, COVID-19 response, and natural disasters. The Foundation also facilitates connections between the communities, leaders, and everyday people who are working to make life better for their friends, families, and neighbors. We invite you to learn more by reading our most recent annual report.

About HeartSense

HeartSense is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to eliminating disparities in cardiovascular health through AI-driven screening technology, strategic HBCU partnerships, and community-based outreach. By integrating cutting-edge diagnostic solutions with grassroots health initiatives, HeartSense is reshaping the landscape of preventive heart care in underserved communities. Visit https://heart-sense.org/ to learn more.

Media Contacts

For HeartSense:

Sabrina Romero-Wilson

Director, HeartSense

info@heart-sense.org

For the Louisiana Blue Foundation:

Katie Bergeron 

Louisiana Blue Foundation

Katie.Bergeron@lablue.com

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