American Heart Association Go Red for Women in Philadelphia Announces 2022-23 Campaign Co-Chairs

Shelly Buck, President, Riddle Hospital and Barbara Wadsworth, Executive VP/ Chief Operating Officer, Main Line Health to Lead this Year’s Campaign

Philadelphia, PA — American Heart Association is proud to announce that Shelly Buck and Barbara Wadsworth, both from Main Line Health, the signature sponsor for Go Red for Women in Philadelphia, will Co-Chair this year’s campaign. In their roles, Buck and Wadsworth will lead the 2022-23 fundraising efforts for Go Red, which encourages women to take charge of their heart health and combat the No. 1 and No. 5 cause of death of American women, heart disease and stroke.

With almost 20 years of experience in health care leadership, Shelly Buck provides direction and operational oversight at Riddle Hospital. She also collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team, Medical Staff leadership, Riddle Hospital Foundation Board, and her executive colleagues across Main Line Health to identify strategies for success and to ensure that the effective execution of those strategies are in line with Main Line Health's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan. Buck received her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership, from Old Dominion University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Barbara Wadsworth brings over 30 years of healthcare and nursing experience to the system. In her role, Barbara has leadership and operational oversight for hospital and ambulatory operations across Main Line Health, collaborating with hospital and medical staff to ensure a high standard of care in all settings, promote clinician and patient satisfaction and provide oversight for cost-effective care delivery and integrated clinical programs. Barbara serves in leadership roles across a number of organizations throughout the area, including: Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders; Immaculata University MSN Advisory Board; Gift of Life Board of Governors; PHL Convention & Visitors Center Board Nursing Leadership Committee; Montgomery County Board of Health; Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Action Coalition and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women.

“I have been inspired by the work of Go Red for Women, that encourages women to take charge of their heart health,” explains Barbara Wadsworth. “Go Red for Women has made a significant impact on the rate at which women suffer heart disease in this country through education and fundraising. I look forward to leading the 2022-23 efforts here in Philadelphia with my Co-Chair,” stated Shelly Buck.

“We are grateful for such passionate leaders from our Greater Philadelphia Go Red Champion, Main Line Health,” says Earnestine Walker, Executive Director of the Philadelphia American Heart Association. “Main Line Health has joined the American Heart Association in our dedication to quality, equitable wellness for years, and under the leadership of Shelly and Barbara, we will reach hundreds of thousands of women in Philadelphia and encourage them to prioritize their heart health,” continued Walker.

The American Heart Association raises funds from local and National Go Red for Women activities to support awareness, research, education, and community programs to benefit women. Unfortunately, only 55 percent of women realize heart disease is their number one cause of death and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The Go Red for Women movement works to make sure women know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health. Each spring, Philadelphia’s efforts culminate in the Go Red for Women luncheon, an event attended by 600+ Go Red supporters at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City.

For more information about Go Red and how to get involved, contact Go Red for Women Senior Director, Shelly Nightengale at shelly.nightengale@heart.org

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact

Lauren Rose
American Heart Association Snr. Communications Director
215.920.2605
lauren.rose@heart.org