JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 19, 2025 — On Nov. 7, nearly 150 girls from LaVilla School of the Arts, Tiger Academy and Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academy visited Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Deerwood Campus for the 2025 First Coast STEAM Goes Red event. This initiative, led by the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, addresses the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, architecture and mathematics and offers students a glimpse into career paths in STEAM fields.

Women make up almost half of employment across non-STEM occupations, but just over 29 percent of the STEM workforce.[1] That’s why the Association is inspiring the next generation of female scientists, engineers and innovators.

“STEAM Goes Red is a truly special event because we have the opportunity to witness the brilliance of the young women in our community as they discover career paths they may have never imagined,” said Caitlin Brunell, executive director for the American Heart Association, First Coast. “It is also a moment of unity, as companies and leaders from across the First Coast come together with a shared purpose: to provide hands-on experiences and empower the next generation with confidence to change the future.”

The American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red launched in 2017, and draws on the Association’s strong legacy of science, education and discovery. On the First Coast, the Association has added the letter “A” to the STEM acronym to include architecture, an additional field in which women are traditionally underrepresented.

The initiative is part of the Association’s Go Red for Women® movement. For more than 20 years, Go Red for Women has served as a catalyst for change, improving women’s lives by advancing equitable research and care, advocating for inclusive health policies and raising awareness of women’s No. 1 health threat—cardiovascular disease.

This year’s local event featured remarks from Dr. Kelli Tice, vice president of medical affairs and chief health improvement officer at GuideWell and Florida Blue, Lynn Sherman, executive director of health programs in the office of Mayor Donna Deegan and Rees Mason, senior vice president and wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch and 2026 First Coast Go Red for Women chairperson.

Also included was an expert Q&A panel with Dolly Smrtic, director of corporate wellness at CSI Companies, Jessica Saliba, advance practice registered nurse at Baptist Health, Mykayla Swift, Tobacco Free Florida statewide youth advocacy board member and president and founder of Andrew Jackson High School’s Students Working Against Tobacco club and Tammy Meyers-LaPlace, master of science in nursing, registered nurse and nurse manager at Mayo Clinic.

In addition to hearing from leaders in STEAM careers, students went on tours, visited interactive expo tables and participated in breakout sessions. These experiences included:

  • Brooks Rehabilitation Hal Robot demonstration.
  • CSX train-driving simulation, robot dog, drone demonstration, virtual switchboard experience and mental mindfulness stress ball activity.
  • Fickling Construction building activity with Jenga block sets.
  • HCA Florida Healthcare Hands-Only CPR demonstrations.
  • HCA School of Nursing UNF MedNexus Simulation Center Tour.
  • Mayo Clinic in Florida rethink your drink beverage sugar content ranking activity.
  • Miller Electric hands-on activity, circuit challenge and VR glasses demonstration.
  • Superior Construction bridge building activity.
  • Tobacco Free Jacksonville Students Working Against Tobacco educational resources.
  • UNF Admissions resources and information.

Students also went home with an Adult & Child CPR Anytime® Kit donated by the Martire Family. The kits will ensure students can practice Hands-Only CPR and share their knowledge with loved ones at home.

“We are so thankful to the guest speakers, panelists, companies, mentors, sponsors and chaperones who made this year’s event so special,” Brunell said. “The inspiration in the room was palpable, and we feel honored to have witnessed the passion of these students who undoubtedly will accomplish amazing things.”

Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health. HCA Florida Healthcare is the Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ Sponsor, Florida Blue is the Live Fierce. Be Relentless. Sponsor, and local sponsors included:

  • Baptist Health
  • Brooks Rehabilitation
  • CSI Companies
  • CSX
  • Fickling Construction
  • FIS
  • Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Mayo Clinic in Florida
  • Miller Electric Company
  • Newfold Digital
  • Regency Centers
  • Superior Construction
  • UNF MedNexus

For more information about the First Coast Go Red for Women movement, visit 2025-2026 Jacksonville Go Red.  

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

About Go Red for Women® 

The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721). 

For Media Inquiries:

Emma Richards: emma.richards@heart.org

Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org