Stroke survivor Kelly Quinn is the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Rochester Woman of Impact Winner for 2025. She won the local competition by raising funds and increasing awareness to combat heart disease and stroke in women while improving overall well-being in 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.
“Thanks to the efforts of incredible leaders like Kelly and all of our nominees, we’re making strides to ensure all women in Rochester are seen, heard and counted when it comes to their health,” said Salley Thornton, American Heart Association Rochester volunteer board chairwoman and director of field marketing and events at Toshiba America Business Solutions. “Together, we have the power to help ensure more women are represented in research, have the information they need for heart health through every stage of life and receive quality and timely care. The power of our community coming together creates better health outcomes for all of us.”
Over the course of nine weeks, Quinn, along with a team of family, friends and colleagues, competed for the Woman of Impact title by participating in various community awareness and fundraising activities. After raising critical funds and driving women’s health education initiatives, Quinn was named this year’s winner. The Woman of Impact campaign is part of the American Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women movement, a comprehensive platform that has been increasing women’s heart health awareness and improving the lives of women globally for more than two decades.
“It was important for me to participate in Woman of Impact because of my health history,” said Quinn. “Since my stroke, I have made it my mission to share my story, connect with others and raise awareness. I am honored to have received this recognition and am excited to continue working alongside the American Heart Association and its Go Red for Women initiative to help ensure all women know their risk factors and have the information they need to live longer, healthier lives.”
The Woman of Impact campaign launched in over 100 cities on National Wear Red Day®, February 7. In Rochester, four community leaders were nominated to participate. Collectively, this year’s Rochester nominees raised $29,000 for the Rochester American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.
Other local nominees included:
•Melissa Gleason, RN, URMC Advanced Heart Failure Program
•Shayne Hawkins, nurse manager, URMC
•Jess Mattson, assistant office manager, Connors & Ferris, LLP
To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Rochester, contact Michelle.Marks-Hook@heart.org or visit the event website at https://
tinyurl.com/3et92f6t.
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