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26 Hudson Valley Parent n September 2017 Staying active for her children and community O'Keeffe takes care of her heart so she can continue to be a mother and member of the community. She is active with the AHA, an educator with a Master's degree in Special Education and General Education, a Girl Scout troop leader and a volunteer for Sparrow's Nest. "I organized a girl scout team at the Dutchess Heart Walk," she says. "This year I had my troop hand out water to the runners and walkers. It is wonderful to spread awareness of heart disease and it's great for the kids to become aware of heart health. The AHA is such an amazing organization and I am in awe of all they do." A switch in diet, a healthy heart Tina Piaquadio, a mother of two from Montgomery and owner of Salon 52, has managed Type I diabetes since her youth, so she has always been aware of the risks associated with heart disease. "It was during an annual OBG-YN exam when Dr. Padma Garvey shared with me the benefits of a plant based diet," recalls Piaquadio. Dr. Padma Garvey of the Caremount Medical Group, graduate from University of Pittsburgh Medical School is an OBG-YN, whose practice guides women on heart disease risk factors, symptoms and healthy choices. "I studied the plant-based diet at Cornell," explains Dr. Garvey. HEART DISEASE (Continued from Page 24) Tina Piaquadio swears by a plant based diet that was recommended to her by Dr. Padma Garvey. As a busy mom and salon owner, this diet keeps her heart healthy and allows her to be active.