Alpha Phi Foundation awarded $125,000 through its 2026 Heart to Heart Grant program. A $100,000 clinical grant went to Brigham and Women's Hospital, while Prairie View A&M University received a $25,000 community grant.
The projects address different parts of women's cardiovascular health. One investigates whether routine mammograms can help detect cardiovascular risk. The other provides education about congenital heart defects that may remain undiagnosed into adulthood.What received the $100,000 clinical grant?
Brigham and Women's Hospital received $100,000 for AI-Driven Mammographic Screening for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Women.
The project is led by Dr. Sophie Gu, MD, PhD, a clinician-scientist and postdoctoral research fellow in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
According to Alpha Phi Foundation, the research will examine whether artificial intelligence can identify signs of cardiovascular risk within routine mammograms. Mammograms are primarily used for breast-cancer screening, and the study asks whether the same images contain information that may help clinicians identify cardiovascular concerns earlier.
The award does not establish that mammograms can already diagnose cardiovascular disease. It funds research into whether information from those images can contribute to risk prediction. Funding a study is not the same as confirming its final findings.
What received the $25,000 community grant?
Prairie View A&M University received $25,000 for Rhythm of the Heart: Bridging Gender Gaps in Late-Diagnosed Adult Congenital Heart Defects.
Dr. Jacklyn Sanders developed the curriculum to serve women across Harris, Waller, Galveston, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties in Texas.
The initiative focuses on education, symptom recognition, screening awareness, and self-advocacy for women who may have undiagnosed adult congenital heart defects.
The grant supports the program's evaluation phase, including focus groups and community events intended to measure changes in participants' knowledge and intention to seek screening. It should not be reported as medical-treatment funding or proof of improved health outcomes.
How were the recipients selected?
Alpha Phi Foundation announced seven finalists in February 2026 after receiving 87 applications, which it identified as a record for the program.
The finalist process included review by volunteer medical readers and the Heart to Heart Grant Advisory Council. The finalists addressed clinical research, pregnancy-related heart health, community education, menopause, nutrition, hypertension, and screening access.
The two recipients were announced on April 9, 2026. Publishing the application count, finalist group, recipients, institutions, project names, and award amounts gives donors and members a traceable record of the selection process.
Why are there two grant categories?
Clinical research and community education answer different questions.
The clinical grant supports an investigation into how cardiovascular risk might be detected. The community grant supports direct education and measures whether participants gain knowledge or become more likely to seek screening.
Keeping the two grants separate helps readers understand what each award can reasonably produce. The clinical project may produce research findings, while the community project may produce education sessions and evaluation data. Neither grant guarantees a specific medical result.
The Foundation identifies heart health as one of five program areas supported by donors, along with leadership, scholarships, member assistance, and heritage.
Why does this matter to the Greek-letter community?
Greek-letter foundations can connect member giving with universities, hospitals, researchers, and community educators.
That relationship deserves clear reporting. Members should be able to identify how much was awarded, who received it, what the funds support, and which results are still being studied.
The 2026 awards provide those starting points: $125,000 in total funding, two named recipient institutions, two defined project areas, separate clinical and community grants, named project leaders, and a documented review process.
Future updates should report research progress, community participation, evaluation findings, publications, and any continuing partnerships. Those results are not yet available and should not be predicted.
The Gold Standard of Excellence
GLOs United recognizes Alpha Phi Foundation donors and volunteers, Dr. Sophie Gu, Dr. Jacklyn Sanders, the Heart to Heart Grant Advisory Council, volunteer medical readers, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Prairie View A&M University, and the women and communities these projects intend to serve.
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