The American Heart Association has announced Riana Kielly, chief operating officer of John C. Lincoln Medical Center, HonorHealth as the community volunteer chair of the 2022-23 Greater Phoenix area 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, according to a press release.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women — both trusted professional women leaders and those women in our diverse Phoenix communities,” Kielly said. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to use my role and the networks I have been able to establish because of the position I am in as an avenue to implement change. With privilege comes responsibility. I want to do good with this privilege.”

Returning for another year is the Women of Impact/Teen of Impact initiative.

Women and teens are nominated by their peers to participate. The nominees will recruit champions from their networks to form a fundraising team and have a direct impact on women’s health and the Go Red for Women vision of creating a passionate community dedicated to addressing health issues unique to women. The nominee whose team makes the largest impact in each market will be named the local Woman of Impact Award Winner or Teen of Impact Award Winner, the press release stated.

This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on May 4, 2023, at the 2023 Phoenix Go Red for Women Luncheon, sponsored locally by HonorHealth and UnitedHealthcare. For information: PhoenixGoRedLuncheon.heart.org.