The American Heart Association announced Kristen Gradney, MHA, RDN, LDN, chief wellness officer at LCMC Health, as the community volunteer chair of the 2023-2024 Baton Rouge Go Red for Women movement. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the American Heart Association designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally, and globally.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. It continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women.
As chairwoman of the 2024 Go Red for Women movement, Kristen will lead a team of 15 Baton Rouge area women to recruit companies and organizations in raising funds, and awareness, for the campaign. The executive cabinet members include:
-Sarah Ash, Baton Rouge General Medical Center
-Cheri Ausberry, Entergy
-Jamie Burgess, Hancock Whitney
-Bridgette B. Coleman, Coleman Consulting
-Holly Hidalgo-DeKeyzer, Investar Bank
-Renada W. Deschamp, MPA, CDE, Woman’s Hospital
-Wendy Gaudet, Pharm D., DPLA, Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic
-Shashitha Gavini, DO, Cardiovascular Institute of the South
-Kristy McKearn, Elevance
-Michelle Nelson, DNP, FNP-C, Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge at Our Lady of the Lake Health
-Katherine F. Pearce, MD, Primary Care for Women Clinic
-Keila Stovall, Foundation for Woman’s at Woman’s Hospital
-Lesley Tilley, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Our Lady of the Lake Health
-Amy Varnado, Hannis T. Bourgeois LLP
-Grace Weber, Centene Corporation
“My husband is why I’m committed to volunteering with the American Heart Association. After his heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery 19 years ago, right before our wedding, I have seen first-hand the impact of American Heart Association funded medical advances. Thanks to the research dollars that support innovation in care, my husband will get to dance at our children’s weddings one day,” said Gradney. “I volunteer to see change right here in our communities that impact the health and wellness of every person regardless of race, age or sex, economic status and education status. I do it to fund and support more advances in medications and treatments, health equity, and ownership of our health statuses as a community.”
“Kristen has been a long-time volunteer, former Board member, and guiding force for our market. She has helped to drive Go Red for Women in Baton Rouge to be the successful event it is today. Together, we know that we will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of women in our community and the families that depend on them,” said Kerin Spears, executive director, American Heart Association, Greater Louisiana.
This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on May 9 at the 2024 Baton Rouge Go Red for Women Luncheon, sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake Heart and Vascular Institute and CareSouth Medical and Dental.
For more information about Go Red for Women and to register for the luncheon, visit www.heart.org/capitalareagored, email AHABatonRouge@heart.org, or call (833) 889-3875.