As the American Heart Association kicks off its centennial year, Lisa Lesko and Dr. Julian Esteban of WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital have been named co-chairs of this year's Lancaster Heart Ball.

Lesko is a registered nurse and currently the director of nursing operations for invasive and non-invasive cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, interventional radiology, the wound center, and the pain management center at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. She received her nursing degree from Wilkes University and is pursuing her master's degree in health care administration at Capella University.

Lesko began her nursing career in cardiac intermediate/ICU focusing on ventricular assist devices and heart transplants after a loved one was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy at a young age and required a heart transplant. With more than 30 years of experience in clinical and health care leadership, Lesko said that cardiology is still her passion.

Esteban is an interventional cardiologist with WellSpan Health, treating patients in Lancaster, Ephrata, and New Holland. He is currently the medical director for Lancaster Cardiology and for the cardiac catheterization lab at Ephrata Hospital. He attended medical school at the University of Philippines College of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at University of Connecticut School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in interventional cardiology at the University of Michigan Hospital. Prior academic appointments include the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and University of Connecticut Health Center.

Esteban specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the heart, including coronary artery disease and heart valve disorders, and providing treatment using non-surgical, catheter-based procedures with specialized imaging techniques. He is inspired to help others by his father, who was a physician in a small town and welcomed anyone into the family's home who needed medical care or advice.

The 2024 Lancaster Heart Ball, presented by WellSpan Health, will be held on Saturday, March 23, at 6 p.m. at the Lancaster Country Club, 1466 New Holland Pike, Lancaster. Additional support is provided by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, UPMC, and UPMC Health Plan. The annual event acknowledges the American Heart Association's year-round efforts to drive health equity in Lancaster County. In honor of the association's centennial celebration, the event will also celebrate its 100-year history of pioneering scientific discovery, advocating for healthy communities, and helping to reduce heart disease and stroke death rates.

Throughout the event, the American Heart Association will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing, and an auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Lancaster Heart Ball, visit http://www.heart.org/lancasterheartball.