Joe Piscatella

Joe Piscatella began his work in health and wellness following a significant medical event. While playing tennis, he experienced chest discomfort and underwent emergency open-heart bypass surgery for a 95 percent blockage of the coronary arteries two days later. At age 32, doctors predicted he would not live to 40 and would not see his children graduate from high school. Instead of accepting this prognosis, Piscatella transformed his lifestyle and dedicated his career to promoting healthy living.

Piscatella is recognized as the longest-lived survivor of coronary bypass surgery in the United States. He is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Fitness and Health, an organization focused on helping individuals adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. As president of the Institute, Piscatella lectures to medical organizations, corporations, and professional associations, and consults on wellness projects for Fortune 500 companies as well as the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. His seminars, cited in Time for their practicality and effectiveness, address the management of lifestyle habits to improve health, longevity, and productivity.

Piscatella has authored 18 best-selling books, hosted three PBS television specials on heart health, and served as a guest expert on WebMD. Notable titles include "Don't Eat Your Heart Out," "Choices for a Healthy Heart," "Positive Mind, Healthy Heart," "The Road to a Healthy Heart Runs Through the Kitchen," and "Prevent, Halt & Reverse Heart Disease." His book "Strong Heart, Sharp Mind" presents a science-based program for developing habits that support both heart and brain health, addressing prevention of heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Piscatella has been interviewed on The Today Show, CNN, Good Morning America, and Fox News as a spokesperson for healthy lifestyle practices.

Piscatella is the only non-medical member of the National Institute of Health Cardiac Rehabilitation Expert Panel, which develops clinical practice guidelines for physicians. He is also a member of the Association for Worksite Health Promotion, the American Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, and the National Wellness Association. He presents approximately 80 times a year to medical organizations, corporations, associations, and schools, sharing his expertise in cardiac health, wellness, and lifestyle medicine.