Dr. Clark also understands why some people are cautious about clinical trials, because of historical events in which, for example, African-Americans were tricked into thinking they were getting help when they weren’t. “Trust has to be earned,” he says. “Overcoming mistrust is [developing] the feeling that the person or healthcare system is trustworthy, in other words, being worthy of being trusted.” One of Dr. Clark’s goals in his profession has been to improve the healthcare of the African- American community. As a member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, he has researched and written about the history of African-Americans who have helped to increase knowledge about the heart and blood vessels and to find new treatments for heart and blood diseases. Dr. Clark would like children to know that the heart is an important organ. “Taking care of the heart never starts too early,” he says. “You should start now. It is a lifelong process.” His suggestions for heart health: Get off your smartphone, do exercise, don’t smoke, and eat nutritious food. He encourages kids to think about a career in cardiology or medicine, and to understand what’s required to get there. “I love being a cardiologist,” he says, “and I’d love to have more of you join me there.” — By Zion Brooks, Ayalah Richardson, Andrea Rogers, Latina White-Sasportas, and Jaydan Wilson AMY Northwest Healthy Bulldog 9 Illustration by Sarah Dewane-Malonoski, East Norriton Bulldog Bulletin