Participants at this site of the ARIC study were sampled from throughout Forsyth County. Detailed maps of the county were used framework, and households were selected at random with specified chances for each household to be chosen. Study personnel conducted home interviews, and eligible residents were invited to participate in the examination and follow-up for this study. The 4056 residents who agreed to participate were examined in the Forsyth County ARIC Field Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina every three years beginning in 1987, until December 1999. Annual telephone contact is still continuing and the response of the ARIC Study participants remains very positive. We hope to continue our partnership with our study participants to study ways in which we can prevent chronic diseases in this, and future generations.

Over the course of the study, the Forsyth site has been fortunate to have a very competent and dedicated staff. A brief overview of the current ARIC staff is presented below.

Dr. Gerardo Heiss

A professor at the School of Public Health of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Heiss studies heart diseases and stroke in populations. In collaboration with scientists at the Wake Forest School of Medicine – Primarily Dr. James Toole of the Department of Neurology - Dr. Heiss organized the Forsyth County site of the ARIC study in 1986.
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Dr. Lynne Wagenknecht

Dr. Wagenknecht is a Professor at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She studies the epidemiology of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a field which helps to uncover the causes of the disease and ways to prevent the disease. She has been associated with the ARIC study since 1996.

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Dee Posey

Dee Posey is the Project Manager for the ARIC Study. She handles day-to-day administrative duties for the study. (You may remember Dee from your prior visits to the ARIC clinic. She probably drew your blood). Dee has been with ARIC since 1986. She also worked on the Family Heart Study and the Hypergen Study.

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Amy Haire

Amy Haire is an LPN who has been with the ARIC study since 1986, in many different roles. She was probably the last face you saw before you left the clinic after your examination visits. Currently Amy abstracts medical records at the Forsyth Medical Center. Amy also worked on the Family Heart Study and the Hypergen Study.

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Bobbie Cook

Bobbie Cook is an interviewer for the ARIC Study. She has been with ARIC since 1988. (She may have come to your home during the recruitment phase of the study, or interviewed you in the clinic.) Bobbie makes annual follow-up telephone calls to participants. Bobbie also worked on the Family Heart Study.

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Kay Burke

Kay Burke abstracts medical records at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She also does telephone interviews to participants regarding their medical records. Kay has been with ARIC since 1991.

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Carol Smith

Carol Smith is the Surveillance Supervisor for the ARIC Study. She coordinates our work in tracking your hospital admissions and also abstracts medical records at Forsyth Medical Center. She has been with ARIC since 1990. Carol also maintains contact with local physicians and requests records from hospitals in other areas. She holds a bachelors degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina.
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Pamela Williams

Pamela Williams is the Annual Follow-Up Supervisor. She keeps track of our ARIC participants and makes annual follow-up telephone calls. Pamela has been with ARIC since 1993 and she probably interviewed you during your clinic visit. Pamela also worked with the Family Heart Study and the Hypergen Study.
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Garren Brannon

Garren Brannon abstracts medical records at both Forsyth Medical Center and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He has been with the ARIC study since 2002. Garren holds a Bachelors degree in biology from High Point University, High Point, NC and a Culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, SC. He is currently working on a degree in nutrition at UNCG in Greensboro, NC. Garren also teaches cooking classes at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s BestHealth Program. Following are two heart healthy recipes provided by Chef Brannon for your enjoyment.

Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Fresh Pineapple-Pear Chutney

Fresh or dry herbs of your choice
1 (2 1/2 lb.) pork loin
vegetable cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a roasting pan and rack with cooking spray. Trim any excess fat from the pork loin; rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the herbs and spices in a small bowl and mix well. Rub the herb mixture into the pork loin; place the pork loin on the prepared rack in the roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, for 1 hour, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loin registers 160°F. Cover and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Shingle slices of the pork loin on warmed plates or a platter and serve with the cabbage-apple compote.

Fresh Pineapple-Pear Chutney

1 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups chopped peeled pear
1 1/2 cups chopped peeled fresh pineapple

In a small nonreactive saucepan, bring the first 8 ingredients to boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a medium bowl and allow to cool briefly. Stir in the pear and pineapple along with any accumulated juices. Store the chutney tightly covered in the refrigerator. Yield: 3 cups