The Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures is delighted to welcome Dr. Leigh Ann O’Banion to the Board of Directors. Dr. O’Banion is a board-certified vascular surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California San Francisco-Fresno Branch Campus. Her remarkable career reflects not only her clinical excellence but also her dedication to addressing health inequities in underserved communities.

Dr. O’Banion is the founder of the Comprehensive Heart and Multidisciplinary Limb Preservation Outreach Networks – “CHAMPIONS” – an innovative program dedicated to cardiovascular disease prevention. CHAMPIONS provides health screenings, education for the public, and training for medical students and community-based providers. It includes a robust research component that investigates vascular deserts, access and uptake of services, and systemic barriers affecting the underserved. CHAMPIONS began serving California’s San Joaquin Central Valley and the East Bay through a collaboration between UCSF and the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures. Since its launch, the program has actively engaged in community events, serving over 600 individuals, making a measurable impact for the benefiting populations. With the success of this pilot project in California, CHAMPIONS is now set to scale this initiative in underserved communities throughout the country.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. O’Banion is a dedicated educator, researcher, and faculty member. Additionally, as a mentor, she is seen as a role model to prosperous and aspiring medical professionals. Her passion for advancing healthcare, empowering others, and caring for her patients and those around her aligns closely with the Foundation’s mission. 

We are grateful to have her expertise and leadership on our board and look forward to the transformative impact she will inevitably bring.