LEXINGTON, KY April 22, 2025 — Kelly Waespe, MD Cardiologist at Baptist Health and CPR advocate is the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Central Kentucky Woman of Impact Winner for 2025. Through her leadership and dedication, Dr. Waespe won the local campaign by raising vital funds and driving awareness around heart disease and stroke in women—while also promoting overall health and well-being throughout the community. According to the American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. It claims the lives of 1 in 3 women disproportionately affecting women of color.
"All of our Woman of Impact nominees have so much to be proud of. They have raised critical funds to support the American Heart Association and increased awareness about women's heart health,” said Andrea Ooten, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Central Kentucky. “As the Woman of Impact winner for Central & Eastern Kentucky, Dr. Waespe showed such passion for the mission of our organization and lead the way in raising dollars that will have a direct local impact. We are grateful for her and each of our nominees for their leadership."
Over a nine-week campaign, Waespe rallied a team of supporters—family, friends and colleagues—to compete for the Woman of Impact title. Through a variety of community engagement efforts and fundraising initiatives, she led a campaign that raised critical funds and brought vital awareness to women’s heart health. Her dedication and impact earned her the honor of being named the 2025 Central Kentucky Woman of Impact. This campaign is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, a long-standing initiative dedicated to advancing heart health awareness and improving outcomes for women worldwide.
“My goal is to help the American Heart Association create a nation of lifesavers,” said Waespe. “My why is people like my friend who has been saved by CPR and a defibrillator, and all the patients that may be saved in the future by the efforts of the American Heart Association.”
The Woman of Impact campaign launched in over 100 cities on National Wear Red Day®, February 7. In Central Kentucky, four community leaders were nominated to participate. Collectively, this year’s Central Kentucky nominees came together and raised over $60,000 for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.
Other local nominees included:
- Christine Trout Van Tatenhove, The Junk Luggers of Kentucky
- Shelley B Stanko, CHI Saint Joseph Health
- Shelesha Peyton, UPS
While the large majority of cardiac events can be prevented, CVD continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, as nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD.[1] Women also experience unique life stages, like pregnancy and menopause, that can increase their risk of developing CVD. Community leaders involved in Woman of Impact are paving the way for the future of women’s heart health and enabling more women to live longer and healthier lives.
To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Central Kentucky visit https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/kentucky .
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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, on 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:
Contact Leah Rafferty: leah.rafferty@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1], [1][1], [1][1][1] , [1]V Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Beaton AZ, Boehme AK, Buxton AE, Commodore Mensah Y, Elkind MSV, Evenson KR, Eze-Nliam C, Fugar S, Generoso G, Heard DG, Hiremath S, Ho JE, Kalani R, Kazi DS, Ko D, Levine DA,Liu J, Ma J, Magnani JW, Michos ED, Mussolino ME, Navaneethan SD, Parikh NI, Poudel R, Rezk-Hanna M, Roth GA, Shah NS, St-Onge M-P, Thacker EL, Virani SS, Voeks JH, Wang N-Y, Wong ND, Wong SS, Yaffe K, Martin SS; on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2023 update: a report from the American Heart Association [published ahead of print January 25, 2023].
Circulation. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123
