A local cardiologist is getting some recognition for her contributions to the community.

Dr. Suzie Mookherjee was named Citizen of the Month in Albany County on Friday. She's being honored for the help she provides to her patients and the awareness she brings to heart disease.

When it comes to her patients, she likes to see the whole picture. Mookherjee works closely with the American Heart Association to help others understand the dangers of heart disease, but says for her it doesn't feel like work at all.

"I come from a family of cardiologists. My father's a cardiologist, my sister's a cardiologist so its kind of in our home—the heart. I have to tell you I feel like the award should really go to the people in this room, everyone at the American Heart Association," said Mookherjee.

"It's really easy for me to work on something I'm so passionate about, so it's not really work in that sense. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the world but about 80 percent is preventable."

Dr. Mookherjee has also advocated for legislative measures aimed at improving health across the community, including anti-tobacco measures.